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

Should you visit Bandung or Noosa Heads?

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

Should I visit Bandung or Noosa Heads? 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. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Bandung travel costs.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a scenic, natural, and charming coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Noosa Heads is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Noosa Heads travel costs.

Bandung and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for shopping


Is there more to do in Bandung or Noosa Heads?

Both Noosa Heads and Bandung have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Bandung is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping, while Noosa Heads attracts visitors for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bandung is famous for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. Noosa Heads is famous for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture.

How is Bandung different from Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Bandung is a great city for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bandung. 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.

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.


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

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Bandung have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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).

Dining out in Noosa Heads is an experience not to be missed. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

Is Bandung or Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Both Bandung and Noosa Heads have nice vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bandung. 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.

Noosa Heads has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

Is Bandung or Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

Bandung is not a beach destination.


Is Bandung or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

If you're looking to go hiking, Bandung and Noosa Heads both have excellent 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 Noosa Heads. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Noosa Heads?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Bandung draws large crowds to its stores. 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 go to Noosa Heads to go shopping. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Is Bandung or Noosa Heads More Beautiful?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Noosa Heads is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's stunning natural beauty, breathtaking beaches, and nearby green spaces have made this a popular holiday destination.

Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.


Is Bandung or Noosa Heads Better for Families?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is a very family-friendly destination. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

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 Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

With fun activities for couples, both Bandung and Noosa Heads make for a excellent 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 Noosa Heads frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

Is Bandung or Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Bandung and Noosa Heads are both excellent 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.

Noosa Heads is a great city to visit for backpackers. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.


Is Bandung or Noosa Heads Better for Students?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Bandung is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Noosa Heads is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Noosa Heads is not popular with students.

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

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Bandung and Noosa Heads.

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

You'll find some public transit in Noosa Heads, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Is Bandung or Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

Bandung
Noosa Heads

Bandung and Noosa Heads are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Noosa Heads is a very walkable city. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.


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

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Noosa Heads?

It's fun to spend time in either Bandung or Noosa Heads. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Noosa Heads due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bandung, and 2-4 days is enough time in Noosa Heads.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bandung than Noosa Heads. 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 Noosa Heads 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.


  • How many days in Bandung or Noosa Heads? Ideal Length of Stay
    Bandung 2-3 
    Noosa Heads 2-4

One day in Bandung or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic city of Bandung. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Noosa Heads is a small town with plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal 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 Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Bandung. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Noosa Heads might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Noosa Heads has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Noosa Heads?

The laidback city of Bandung offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bandung. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Noosa Heads. Since Noosa Heads is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Noosa Heads or Bandung?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $48, while the average daily cost in Noosa Heads is $135. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bandung and Noosa Heads in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bandung $20
    Noosa Heads $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bandung $40
    Noosa Heads $116
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Noosa Heads

Looking for a hotel in Bandung or Noosa Heads? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Bandung


Hotels in Noosa Heads


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bandung Hotel Prices and Noosa Heads Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bandung $5.54
    Noosa Heads $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung

Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Kertajati Intl. Airport Cirebon (KJT): $221
  • Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Garut Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $196
  • Private Transfer from Sukarasa Kuningan Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $196
  • Private Transfer from Larangan to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $184
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Pejambon: $184
  • Private Transfer from Karyamulya to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $184
  • Private Transfer from Sunyaragi to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $184
  • Private Transfer from Jagasatru to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $184
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Larangan: $184
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Jagasatru: $184
  • Private Transfer from Argasunya to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $184
  • Private Transfer from Situ Sumedang to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $184

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Noosa Heads

Also for Noosa Heads, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (2pax): $97
  • Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 13 pax: $262
  • Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 11 pax: $238
  • Private Morning Transfer From Noosa to Rainbow Beach: $91
  • Eumundi Markets Bus Transfer: Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast & Noosa : $32
  • Australia Zoo Transfer from Noosa and Sunshine Coast: $91

Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Noosa Heads?

Prices for flights to both Noosa Heads and Bandung change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bandung $24
    Noosa Heads $58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bandung

For Bandung, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Indonesian Cooking Class with Welcoming Exotic Fruits: $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Noosa Heads

For Noosa Heads, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Classes on Witta Maleny Sunshine Coast: $121

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bandung $5.45
    Noosa Heads $40

Tours and Activities in Bandung

For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 7 Hour Private Bandung City Tour : $148
  • BANDUNG : MAKE CUSTOMIZED TOUR WITH CAR CHARTER AND DRIVER: $78
  • Bandung : White Crater, Tea Plantation Tour Guide Bandung: $66
  • Bandung Crater Adventure Hotspring and Mud Bath: $70
  • Bandung One Day Tour Package: $160
  • Bandung Tour All In, White Crater, Volcano Mountain, Hot Spring : $52
  • Bandung Tour Volcano, Hotsprings, Mud, Tea, Lunch all Included: $60
  • Bandung Volcano Sightseeing and Hot Spring Private Tour: $43
  • Kawah Putih Day Tours: $59
  • Sanghyang Kenit Cave and Rainbow Waterfall Tour: $62
  • Tangkuban Parahu Volcano & Surrounding Areas Tour: $44
  • Batukaras Countryside & Canyon Tour: $74

Typical Entertainment Prices in Noosa Heads

For Noosa Heads, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Surf Lesson
    $43
  • Sea Kayak Tour (for 2)
    $85
  • Sunset Cruise (for 2)
    $13

Tours and Activities in Noosa Heads

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Noosa Heads.

  • AAA NOOSA Whale watching experience in Noosa Whalesongsnoosa: $64
  • Noosa Queen Sunset Cruise River: $22
  • 1 Hour Tour Mooloolaba Sunset Cruise: $24
  • AAA Noosa National Park tour and Dolphin Safari Whalesongsnoosa: $60
  • Aquaduck Sunshine Coast - 1hr Mooloolaba Amphibious Tour: $34
  • Booloumba Falls & Booloumba Creek Adventure, Conondale Nat. Park: $235
  • Buderim Forest Flight Owl Encounter and Tour: $77
  • Epic Kayak With Dolphins & Wildlife - 4WD Beach Adventure Noosa: $108
  • Eumundi Markets and Noosa Everglades Tour with Eco Safari: $214
  • Everglades Explorer - Noosa Everglades Tour: $111
  • Fliteboard eFoil Group Experience in Noosa: $151
  • From Noosa: Stand Up Paddle Wildlife & Beach 4X4 Adventure: $108

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bandung $3.32
    Noosa Heads $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Noosa Heads

Also in Noosa Heads, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sunshine Coast Bar Crawl Sippin on Sunshine: $15
  • Sunshine Coast Brewery Tour with Lunch: $164
  • Hinterland Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour - with 2 course lunch included: $188


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Noosa Heads, we can see that Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bandung or Noosa Heads?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Noosa Heads, 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.