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

Should you visit Bandung or Nara?

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

Should I visit Bandung or Nara? 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 scenic, laidback, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Bandung travel costs.

Nara

Nara is a traditional, tranquil, and natural city. Nara is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Nara travel costs.

Bandung and Nara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Nara?

Both Nara and Bandung have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Bandung is very popular for its food and shopping, while Nara attracts visitors for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Bandung is more touristy than Nara and is popular for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. Nara is famous for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Bandung different from Nara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nara 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 Nara?

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Bandung or Nara.

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 Nara specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

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

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Bandung is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Bandung or Nara Better for Nightlife?

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

Nara has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

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 Nara Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Bandung does not have a historic old town.

Nara is a good destination for visiting its old town. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Bandung does not have a historic old town.

Is Bandung or Nara Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Bandung and Nara both have high quality 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 Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Nara?

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Bandung make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nara. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

Is Bandung or Nara More Beautiful?

Nara is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Nara is a gorgeous place to visit. The city is filled with green space, parks, and natural areas. You'll find deer roaming freely and tranquil lawns where you can relax.

Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bandung or Nara Better for Families?

Nara 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.

Nara is a very family-friendly destination. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

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 Nara Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bandung and Nara make for a high quality 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 Nara frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Is Bandung or Nara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bandung is notable for backpackers. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bandung is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Nara is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

Is Bandung or Nara Better for Students?

Bandung is a popular place for students. However, Nara is not popular with students.

Bandung is a good city to visit for students. 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.

Nara is not popular with students.

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

Nara is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Nara can move around easily with public transportation. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

You'll find some public transit in Bandung, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

Is Bandung or Nara a more walkable city?

Bandung and Nara are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Nara or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Nara?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bandung or Nara to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bandung than Nara because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bandung, and 1-2 days is enough time in Nara.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bandung than Nara 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 Nara?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bandung. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Nara, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Bandung or Nara?

Bandung is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Nara, 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nara has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Nara?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laidback destination of Bandung. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nara is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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 Nara?

The laidback city of Bandung offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nara. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nara. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Nara, we can see that Nara is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara 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 Nara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bandung or Nara?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Nara, 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.