A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ise vs. Milford Sound for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ise or Milford Sound?

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 Milford Sound 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 authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and overlooked city. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a remote, iconic, and breathtaking fiord. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the skiing and hiking.

Ise and Milford Sound: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ise or Milford Sound?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ise. Although Ise and Milford Sound are both popular with visitors, Ise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ise is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Milford Sound is known for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Ise is popular for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting. It is also home to the Ise Jingu shrine complex. Milford Sound is popular for its iconic hiking trails, stunning boat tours, and dramatic mountains.

How is Ise different from Milford Sound?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Ise or Milford Sound Better for Skiing?

Milford Sound is well known for winter skiing. However, Ise is not a skiing destination.

People head to Milford Sound specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. Many locals head to the snow-capped peaks to enjoy skiing, but if you're unfamiliar with the area, a ski tour is your best option.

Ise is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ise or Milford Sound?

Ise is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Ise. 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.

Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Ise is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Ise has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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).

While Milford Sound is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. You'll find a restaurant or two in the small town of Milford Sound. Your best option is the Milford Sound Lodge. In the park you'll want to come prepared with your own food. Many organized tours include a picnic lunch.

Is Ise or Milford Sound Better for Nightlife?

Ise is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Milford Sound is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ise. Most visitors don't stay long enough to take in the nightlife, which is limited.

Milford Sound is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Ise or Milford Sound Better for Beaches?

Ise is a good destination for the beach. However, Milford Sound is not a beach destination.

Ise offers a nice beach destination. There are several nice and sandy beaches in the area that make for a nice break from the sightseeing.

Milford Sound is not a beach destination.

Is Ise or Milford Sound Better for Hiking?

Milford Sound is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Ise is not a hiking destination.

Around Milford Sound visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The Milford Track has long been considered one of the world's best hikes. It's also, arguably, the most famous hike in New Zealand. The 53 kilometer trek takes you from Lake Te Anau through stunning scenery, alpine settings, and across spectacular suspension bridges.

Ise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ise or Milford Sound?

Ise is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ise or Milford Sound Better for Families?

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

Milford Sound is a very kid-friendly fiord. The outdoor wonders will impress the kids as much as the adults. There are shorter walks that are family-friendly and the boat rides are also fun for the whole family. You can take a scenic flight or visit the stunning Mirror Lakes. This really is a playground for both kids and adults.

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 Milford Sound Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Milford Sound frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This is one of the most stunning natural areas in the world, and the romance comes from the spectacular beauty, world class hikes, and breathtaking surroundings that will leave you awed and inspired.

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 Milford Sound Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ise and Milford Sound are good 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 Milford Sound. The area's remoteness and high price tag make it a bit challenging for backpackers and budget travelers. If you have plenty of time and enough money, it is truly a not to be missed destination.

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

Ise is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its public transit.

Ise has some public transit options. 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 Milford Sound. There are buses in the area, but private vehicles or organized tours are your best option for getting around.

Is Ise or Milford Sound a more walkable city?

Ise is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Milford Sound is not a walkable city. This is one of the most remote places in New Zealand so you really must have a car or organized transportation to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Milford Sound or Ise?

How long in Ise or Milford Sound?

Ise and Milford Sound both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Milford Sound than Ise 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 2-6 days is enough time in Milford Sound.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ise than Milford Sound 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 Ise.

One day in Ise or Milford Sound?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the overlooked destination of Ise. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With skiing around the iconic destination of Milford Sound, there's plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Ise or Milford Sound?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ise. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many people visit Milford Sound for a weekend. With skiing around the world renowned fiord of Milford Sound, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Milford Sound?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Ise. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

With skiing around the destination of Milford Sound, there's plenty to do. Many people spend five days here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Ise or Milford Sound?

You'll find museums and food around the city of Ise. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Milford Sound, a popular fiord, 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, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ise or Milford Sound?

Ise has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Milford Sound. When comparing the sizes of Ise and Milford Sound, 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.