A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ise vs. Picton for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Ise or Picton?

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 Picton 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. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a relaxing, picturesque, and scenic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Ise and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ise or Picton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Picton. Although Ise and Picton are both popular with visitors, Picton has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Picton is more touristy than Ise and is known for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. It is also home to the Queen Charlotte Track. Ise is popular for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting.

How is Ise different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Ise and Picton.

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 Picton. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

Both Ise and Picton offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Ise. 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).

Picton has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Ise or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Ise and Picton.

Ise is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Most visitors don't stay long enough to take in the nightlife, which is limited.

Picton doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Ise or Picton Better for Beaches?

Picton is well known for the beache. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

The beaches at Picton attract visitors from all over. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

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.

Is Ise or Picton Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Ise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ise or Picton?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Picton 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.

Picton has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Ise or Picton Better for Families?

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

Picton is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

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 Picton Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Picton frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

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 Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Picton is well known for backpackers. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Picton is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

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

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Ise and Picton.

You'll find some public transit in Ise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The CAN Bus is a tourist bus that connects the train stations to the main attractions and runs every half hour.

While Picton offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Ise or Picton a more walkable city?

Picton is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Picton is a very walkable town. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Ise?

How long in Ise or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ise or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ise than Picton 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 Picton.

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

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

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

One day in Ise or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Ise. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With shopping and museums around the quaint destination of Picton, there's plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Picton?

Ise is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people visit Picton for a weekend. With museums and food around the relaxing town of Picton, 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 Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ise. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The destination of Picton offers food and shopping. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the overlooked destination of Ise. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Picton, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Ise and Picton, 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 Picton 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 Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ise or Picton?

Ise has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Ise and Picton, 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 Ise or Picton?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Picton is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Ise has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Ise or Picton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ise and Picton. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ise this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ise is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ise in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ise usually receives more rain than Pictonin January. Ise gets 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ise or Picton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ise as well as Picton. Many travelers come to Ise for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Picton in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Ise is generally a little warmer than Pictonin April. Daily temperatures in Ise average around 17°C (63°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Ise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ise usually gets more rain in October than Pictonin April. Ise gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ise or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Ise are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ise can get quite cold in the winter. Ise is much colder than Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Ise averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Picton. In January, Ise usually receives less rain than Pictonin July. Ise gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ise or Picton in the Spring?

Both Picton and Ise during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ise for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Ise is around the same temperature as Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ise in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. Ise usually gets more rain in April than Pictonin October. Ise gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Picton and Ise