A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Perth for Food, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bandung or Perth?

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

Should I visit Bandung or Perth? 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.

Perth

Perth is a sunny, friendly, and relaxed city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Bandung and Perth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Perth?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bandung. Although Bandung and Perth are about the same size, Bandung has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bandung is more popular for its food, hiking, and shopping, while Perth is known for its beaches. Bandung is more touristy than Perth and is known for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. It is also home to White Crater (Kawah Putih Ciwidey). Perth is popular for its beautiful city beaches, sunny weather, and isolated location.

How is Bandung different from Perth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Perth specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are some interesting sights and museums around town like the Perth Mint, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Bell Tower, and Scitech. There's also the Perth Zoo and the Aviation Heritage Museum.

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

Bandung is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Perth is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Perth. There's a good selection of restaurants with many great international options as well as fine dining and casual. Family-friendly restaurants are also very common.

Is Bandung or Perth Better for Nightlife?

Both Bandung and Perth have good 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.

Perth has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has many nightclubs and music venues. There are also low key pubs and trendy wine bars. Northbridge is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, and this is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars, restaurants, clubs, and cafes.

Is Bandung or Perth Better for Beaches?

Perth 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 Perth. There is an 80 kilometer coastline that has beautiful turquoise water and white sandy beaches. Within the city there are 19 beaches that offer snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. Many beaches have any amenity that you might need but it's also very easy to escape the city crowds.

Bandung is not a beach destination.

Is Bandung or Perth Better for Hiking?

Bandung is great for hiking. However, Perth is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bandung for the hiking trails. 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.

Perth is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Perth?

Bandung is very popular for shopping. Also, Perth is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Perth offers some nice shopping areas. There are weekend street markets where you can pick up local crafts. There are also large shopping malls and trendy high end boutiques with international and local brands.

Is Bandung or Perth Better for Families?

Perth 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.

Perth is a very family-friendly destination. It's a family-friendly city with ropes courses, fruit picking, and many different playgrounds and kid-friendly activities. There's also the Perth Zoo and several kid-friendly museums like the Aviation Heritage Museum and Scitech. Kids will also enjoy spending a day or two at the beach.

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 Perth Better for Couples?

Bandung is great for romance. Also, Perth is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Bandung is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Perth makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has many great restaurants and bars. There's also wine tasting and river cruises on the Swan River.

Is Bandung or Perth Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bandung is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Perth is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Perth. While most backpackers don't make it all the way to this isolated city, those that do will be rewarded with beautiful beaches, fun festivals, and an authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience.

Is Bandung or Perth Better for Students?

Both Bandung and Perth are good destinations for 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.

Perth is popular with students. Students love the low cost of living and the year round climate that is sunny and pleasant.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Bandung and Perth.

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 Perth, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, trains, and ferries that help you get around the city.

Is Bandung or Perth a more walkable city?

Bandung is great for its walkability. Also, Perth is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Perth is a somewhat walkable place. There are some pedestrian-friendly areas with streets that are fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Perth or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Perth?

It's fun to spend time in either Bandung or Perth. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Perth 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 Perth.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bandung than Perth. 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 Perth 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 Perth?

In Bandung, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Perth, 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 city 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 Perth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bandung. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Perth, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Perth has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Perth?

Bandung is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bandung. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Perth 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 Perth?

You'll find food and shopping around the laidback destination of Bandung. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Perth. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Perth. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, and The Best Walking Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Bandung or Perth?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Perth. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Perth, 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.