A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Napier for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Bandung or Napier?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bandung or Napier? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bandung

Bandung is a cultural, scenic, and laidback city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Napier

Napier is a coastal, relaxed, and character-filled town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Bandung and Napier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Napier?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Napier than Bandung. While Bandung is larger than Napier, Napier has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Napier is more popular for its nightlife and beaches, while Bandung is known for its food and shopping. Bandung is popular for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. Napier is popular for its many art deco buildings, its beautiful vineyards, and the area's long sandy beaches. It is also home to the art deco architecture.

How is Bandung different from Napier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Napier and Bandung. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bandung or Napier?

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Bandung or Napier.

Bandung offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with museums and landmarks like the Sri Baduga Museum, which displays prehistoric artifacts. There's also the Asian African Conference Museum, a geology museum, and the Indonesia Postal Museum. The Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum shows items relating to Indonesian wars and weapons while the Virajati Seskoad Museum has information on the Indonesian Army school.

Many visitors head to Napier specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Considered an "Art Deco capital", there are many interesting buildings around town and it's worth taking an Art Deco Walk. The National Aquarium of New Zealand is also impressive as is the MTG Hawke's Bay, which is a museum, gallery, and theater in one. For something a little outside the box, you can visit the Napier Prison, which is New Zealand's oldest place of incarceration, dating back to 1862.

Is the Food Better in Bandung or Napier? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Napier is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Bandung has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city is a wonderful foodie destination with tons of street food and local options. The population is predominantly Sundanese, and the cuisine reflects that. The dishes involve a lot of raw vegetables and fresh ingredients. Make sure you try the batagor (fried tofu), soto Bandung (meat soup), and siomay (fish or chicken dumplings).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Napier. With its many wineries and big mix of fine dining restaurants, there is plenty for a foodie to enjoy around town. You'll find restaurants that serve up New Zealand favorites as well as those that experiment with modern and trendy recipes.

Is Bandung or Napier Better for Nightlife?

Napier is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Napier has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is diverse and fun. Whether you're looking for a wild party or just want to relax with a drink and some friends, there are plenty of places where you can hang out.

Bandung has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a large student population and a number of bars around town. The nightlife has a laidback vibe and many people enjoy hanging out with friends a local pub.

Is Bandung or Napier Better for Beaches?

Napier is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Bandung is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Napier. It's a popular beach destination and you'll find plenty of beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and playing with the kids. You'll want to head out of town to find the best and most beautiful beaches. For hidden beaches and some of the area's best surf, head to Mahia Peninsula. To escape the tourists and hang out with the locals, go to Waipatiki Beach. And for a picnic, Westshore Beach is a favorite. Waimarama Beach is another favorite in the area as well.

Bandung is not a beach destination.

Is Bandung or Napier Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Bandung and Napier both have great trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bandung. There are tons of great hiking trails just outside of town. Some are undiscovered while others are more popular. The trails will take you through forests, by volcanoes, and to dramatic craters.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Napier. Hawke's Bay is filled with wonderful walks and hikes. There are easy coastal paths as well as mult-day treks around Lake Waikaremoana. It's not hard to find somewhere to stretch your legs and explore the scenery.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Napier?

Bandung is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Napier is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Bandung. This is the ultimate shopping destination in Indonesia. Visitors come from throughout the country and abroad to buy designer goods and name brands, often at a discount price. You'll find both knock-offs and authentic merchandise, so be aware when you're purchasing something, which you might be buying.

Napier offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find all of the standard New Zealand retail chains as well antique and boutique shops. With its many Art Deco buildings, the city has character and personality.

Is Bandung or Napier Better for Families?

Napier is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Napier is a very family-friendly destination. This coastal city has a waterpark, a waterfall walk, and plenty of beaches where the family can hang out. There's also a waterfront promenade that is filled with water features and playgrounds where the kids can run around. You can also check out Hawke's Bay Farmyard Zoo or on a rainy day head to the Faraday Museum of Technology.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bandung. Kids will enjoy taking in a cultural show with traditional dance and music. Near the city you can also get outside and enjoy the stunning scenery at White Crater or Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There's also the Bandung Geological Museum and Trans Studio amusement park.

Is Bandung or Napier Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bandung and Napier make for a great place to visit.

Bandung makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most honeymooners make their way to a beautiful Indonesian beach, if you're looking for a break from the heat then this city makes a good stopover. The city is near many beautiful outdoor settings such as the White Crater. There are also many nice luxury resorts and hotels.

Couples visit Napier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Surrounded by vineyards and lined with beaches, this is a great place for a romantic getaway or a honeymoon. Hop on a bike and explore the wineries or enjoy a beautiful hike through nature. There are also adrenaline-filled activities for thrill seekers or fine dining restaurants for the foodies.

Is Bandung or Napier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bandung and Napier are both great destinations for backpackers.

Bandung is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Napier is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of fun activities like mountain biking or white water rafting that you can enjoy.

Is Bandung or Napier Better for Students?

Bandung is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Napier is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Bandung. Many of the expats in town are students, so you'll have a number of people to hang out with. This is also an affordable town for study abroad.

Napier is not popular with students.

Is Bandung or Napier Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bandung is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Napier is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Bandung has some public transit options. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

Public transit is generally limited in Napier. Public transit to most of the beaches is limited or nonexistent, so you really need a car if you want to get around and see everything.

Is Bandung or Napier a more walkable city?

Bandung is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Napier is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Bandung is very walkable. There are a number of walkable neighborhoods around town.

Napier is generally not very walkable. If you stay in town you can walk to cafes and restaurants, but you really need a car if you're planning to visit beaches or explore the area in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Bandung Worth Visiting? and Is Napier Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Napier or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Napier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bandung and Napier. In our opinion, Bandung has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bandung than Napier. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Napier than Bandung. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Napier, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bandung than Napier. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bandung that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bandung than Napier if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bandung.

One day in Bandung or Napier?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bandung. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Napier, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Bandung or Napier?

Bandung is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Napier, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Napier has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Napier?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bandung. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Napier is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bandung or Napier?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laidback destination of Bandung. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Napier. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Napier. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Napier, we can see that Napier is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bandung is in Asia and Napier is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Napier would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Napier than you might in Bandung.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bandung Expensive? and Is Napier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bandung or Napier?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Napier. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Napier, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.