A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ise vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ise or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a high energy, thrilling, and active city. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Ise and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ise or Surfers Paradise?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Ise and Surfers Paradise are both popular with visitors, Surfers Paradise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Ise and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also home to the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Ise is popular for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting.

How is Ise different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Surfers Paradise is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Surfers Paradise. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

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.

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

Both Ise and Surfers Paradise offer a number of high quality 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).

Surfers Paradise has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

Is Ise or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Ise is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Surfers Paradise is a world class party destination. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Ise is not a resort destination.

Surfers Paradise is a world class resort vacation destination. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Ise is not a resort destination.

Is Ise or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Ise is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Ise is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ise or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for the beache. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Surfers Paradise is considered to be a world-class beach destination. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Ise is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Ise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ise or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Surfers Paradise make it a world-class shopping destination. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

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.

Is Ise or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Surfers Paradise frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Surfers Paradise. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

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 Surfers Paradise offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Ise or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Ise and Surfers Paradise both are good 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.

Surfers Paradise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Ise?

How long in Ise or Surfers Paradise?

Both Ise and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Ise. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ise, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Ise or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find museums and food around the authentic destination of Ise. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With museums and nightlife around the active destination of Surfers Paradise, there's plenty to do. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the overlooked city of Ise. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many people visit Surfers Paradise for a weekend. With nightlife and food around the high energy city of Surfers Paradise, there's plenty to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Ise or Surfers Paradise?

Ise is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Surfers Paradise, there's plenty to do. Many people spend five days here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Ise or Surfers Paradise?

Ise is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Surfers Paradise, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for one week. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Ise or Surfers Paradise?

Ise has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Ise and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ise as well as Surfers Paradise. Most visitors come to Ise for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ise is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ise in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In the summer, Ise often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein January. Ise gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Ise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ise usually gets more rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Ise gets 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ise or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise and Ise are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Ise because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In October, Ise is generally cooler than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Ise average around 17°C (63°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Ise usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Ise gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Ise. In October, Ise usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Ise gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ise or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

Both Surfers Paradise and Ise during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ise this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Ise in the winter. Ise is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Ise averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Ise often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein July. Ise gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.

Ise usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Ise gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ise or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ise and Surfers Paradise. Many travelers come to Ise for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Ise is much colder than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ise in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Ise usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during spring. Ise gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ise usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Ise gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Ise