A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Kobe for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Dubai or Kobe?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Kobe can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a opulent, modern, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Kobe

Kobe is a under-rated, multicultural, and quaint city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Kobe?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Dubai than Kobe. While Kobe is larger than Dubai, Dubai has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Dubai is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa. Kobe is famous for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Skiing?

Dubai is adequate for skiing. However, Kobe is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Dubai for snow skiing. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Kobe is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Kobe?

Dubai is great for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Dubai. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

Is the Food Better in Dubai or Kobe? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Dubai and Kobe both to be high quality destinations.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kobe makes for a great culinary experience. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Dubai has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kobe. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Music?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Kobe is not a live music destination.

Dubai has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Kobe is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Resorts?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Dubai for its luxury resorts. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a good destination for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Dubai offers a nice beach destination. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Kobe?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Dubai specifically to go shopping. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Kobe is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Families?

Dubai is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Kobe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Kobe are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kobe is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Kobe is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Students?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kobe is not popular with students.

Dubai is a very popular place to visit for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Kobe is not popular with students.

Is Dubai or Kobe Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dubai and Kobe both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Kobe has a few public transit options. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Is Dubai or Kobe a more walkable city?

Kobe is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Kobe is a somewhat walkable city. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubai Worth Visiting? and Is Kobe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Kobe?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dubai or Kobe to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dubai than Kobe because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kobe.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubai than Kobe 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 Dubai.

One day in Dubai or Kobe?

Dubai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Kobe, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this subdued destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dubai or Kobe?

Dubai is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kobe. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Five days in Dubai or Kobe?

Dubai is a glamorous big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Kobe is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kobe. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Kobe?

Dubai is a glamorous city where you can fill many days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find food and shopping around the multicultural destination of Kobe. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Kobe, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Kobe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Kobe is in Asia, 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 Kobe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kobe 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Kobe.

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Kobe?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Kobe, 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.

When is the best time to visit Dubai or Kobe?

Kobe has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Kobe in the Summer?

Both Kobe and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is a little warmer than Kobe in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Kobe fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Kobe. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.

Should I visit Dubai or Kobe in the Autumn?

Both Kobe and Dubai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Kobe because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Kobe. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Kobe averages at about 18°C (65°F).

Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Kobe. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Kobe in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Kobe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kobe this time of year.

In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Kobe. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Kobe in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Kobe. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Kobe for the activities around the city.

Dubai is much warmer than Kobe in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Kobe fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Kobe. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Kobe. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Kobe and Dubai