A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ise vs. Cromwell for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Ise or Cromwell?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Ise and Cromwell can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Ise

Ise is a overlooked, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches. See Ise travel costs.

Cromwell

Cromwell is a cultural, outdoorsy, and historical town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing. See Cromwell travel costs.

Ise and Cromwell: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Ise or Cromwell?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cromwell than Ise, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cromwell is better known for its skiing, nightlife, hiking, and small town charm, while Ise is more popular for its food and beaches. Ise is well known for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting. Cromwell is well known for its fruit farms, orchards, and vineyards. Also, Cromwell is famous for the big fruit.

How is Ise different from Cromwell?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Ise or Cromwell Better for Skiing?

Ise
Cromwell

Cromwell is a town with good options for winter skiing. However, Ise is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Cromwell is a great destination to visit. The town isn't far from several ski fields, so it attracts winter sports enthusiasts when the weather gets cold.

Ise is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ise or Cromwell?

Ise
Cromwell

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Ise and Cromwell.

Ise offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While this is an often overlooked part of Japan for tourists, those who venture here will enjoy strolling through the forest and visiting the shrine complex of Ise Jingu.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cromwell. There are some interesting historical activities around town like Goldfields Mining Centre.

Is the Food Better in Ise or Cromwell? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ise
Cromwell

Ise is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Ise has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find some of Japan's best seafood around town and there are many local delicacies. Head to the downtown area around Iseshi Station to find a high concentration of places. One local specialty is the Japanese spiny lobster (also known as the Ise lobster).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cromwell area. There are charming cafes and bakeries where you can grab a light meal or snack. There are also quaint restaurants and wineries with nice meals available.

Is Ise or Cromwell Better for Nightlife?

Ise
Cromwell

Cromwell is a town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Ise is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Cromwell has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a few breweries and a number of wineries around town where you can have a relaxing night out.

Ise doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Most visitors don't stay long enough to take in the nightlife, which is limited.


Is Ise or Cromwell Better for Beaches?

Ise
Cromwell

Ise is a city with good options for the beach. However, Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Ise. There are several nice and sandy beaches in the area that make for a nice break from the sightseeing.

Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Is Ise or Cromwell Better for Hiking?

Ise
Cromwell

Cromwell is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Ise is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Cromwell. There are many beautiful walks in the area that take you through diverse landscapes and to impressive views.

Ise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ise or Cromwell?

Ise
Cromwell

Shopping is a popular activity in both Cromwell and Ise.

Ise offers some nice shopping areas. There's a shopping street in town with many of the shops housed in traditional buildings, giving the area a nice character.

Cromwell has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a farmers market in town as well as several local vendors and cute shops.


Is Ise or Cromwell Better for Families?

Ise
Cromwell

Cromwell is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cromwell is a very kid-friendly town. The lakefront setting means that there are water activities during the warmer months. There are also ski fields nearby for the winter months. Biking and walking are also popular in the area.

Ise offers lots of family activities. The Ise Jingu Shrine complex is large and sprawling, and has the feel of a park. The kids will likely find visiting all of the temples tedious, but the forest is peaceful and the setting is beautiful.

Is Ise or Cromwell Better for Couples?

Ise
Cromwell

Cromwell is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Cromwell frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Cycling, walking, kayaking, and skiing all make this a romantic a charming town to visit as a couple. There are also wineries in the area with beautiful vineyards.

Ise is a good city for couples to visit. This is an off-the-beaten path destination that is far more than a shrine - it's a complex of shrines. It's spread out over a large space and filled with forest and peaceful walks that couples will enjoy.

Is Ise or Cromwell Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ise
Cromwell

Ise and Cromwell are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ise is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's off the radar for many backpackers, but those that make it here will find a couple of hostels and affordable accommodation options.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cromwell. There are a handful of great hostels in the area and plenty of things to keep backpackers entertained.


Is Ise or Cromwell Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ise
Cromwell

Ise is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Cromwell is not known for its public transit.

While Ise offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The CAN Bus is a tourist bus that connects the train stations to the main attractions and runs every half hour.

Public transit is generally limited in Cromwell. Public transit around town is limited to a couple of buses.

Is Ise or Cromwell a more walkable city?

Ise
Cromwell

Ise and Cromwell both are notable when exploring on foot.

Ise is a somewhat walkable place. There are walking paths through the complex that connect the shrines, but some of the distances can be significant.

Cromwell is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Ise Worth Visiting? and Is Cromwell Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cromwell or Ise?

How long in Ise or Cromwell?

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

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

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


  • How many days in Ise or Cromwell? Ideal Length of Stay
    Ise 1-3 
    Cromwell 1-2

One day in Ise or Cromwell?

The city of Ise offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and skiing around the historical destination of Cromwell, there's plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.


A weekend in Ise or Cromwell?

Ise is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ise, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Many people visit Cromwell for a weekend. With skiing and nightlife around the outdoorsy town of Cromwell, there's plenty to do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Ise or Cromwell?

Ise is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The destination of Cromwell offers nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Five days 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.

A week in Ise or Cromwell?

Ise is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Cromwell, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Cromwell or Ise?

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 Ise is $110, while the average daily cost in Cromwell is $100. 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 Ise and Cromwell in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ise $43
    Cromwell $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ise $86
    Cromwell $78
Compare Hotels in Ise and Cromwell

Looking for a hotel in Ise or Cromwell? 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 Ise


Hotels in Cromwell


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: Ise Hotel Prices and Cromwell Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ise $45
    Cromwell $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Ise or Cromwell?

Prices for flights to both Cromwell and Ise 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
    Ise $43
    Cromwell $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ise $6.04
    Cromwell $16

Tours and Activities in Ise

Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Express Tour of Japan’s Most Sacred Shrine: $47
  • Full-Day Guided Tour of Shrines and Oharaimachi: $138
  • Guided Bar-Hopping Tour with Food and Drinks: $85
  • Ise Grand Shrine and Okage Yokocho Guided Tour: $149
  • Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $47
  • Toba Private Customizable Half Day Tour: $215

Tours and Activities in Cromwell

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

  • Queenstown to Middlemarch Small-Group Guided Tour (One-Way): $92
  • Queenstown: Mount Cook Premium Guided Day Tour: $161

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ise $4.68
    Cromwell $9.10


When comparing the travel costs between Ise and Cromwell, we can see that Ise is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Ise is in Asia and Cromwell is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


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