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

Should you visit Kobe or Auckland?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kobe and Auckland. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kobe

Kobe is a quaint, subdued, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Kobe travel costs.

Auckland

Auckland is a cosmopolitan , adventurous, and adrenaline-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Auckland travel costs.

Kobe and Auckland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Auckland?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Auckland than Kobe. While Kobe is larger than Auckland, Auckland has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Auckland is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. It is also home to the Sky Tower. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Auckland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Auckland 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 Auckland. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

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 Kobe or Auckland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kobe and Auckland can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Kobe has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Auckland makes for a great culinary experience. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Is Kobe or Auckland Better for Nightlife?

Auckland is great for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Auckland for the nightlife scene. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

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 Kobe or Auckland Better for Beaches?

Auckland is great for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Auckland for it's beautiful beaches. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Auckland Better for Hiking?

Auckland is a good destination for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Auckland offers some nice hiking trails. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Auckland?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kobe and Auckland both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kobe. 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.

Auckland is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Is Kobe or Auckland Better for Families?

Auckland 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 Auckland. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

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 Kobe or Auckland Better for Couples?

Auckland is great for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Auckland is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

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 Kobe or Auckland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Auckland is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Auckland. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

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

Is Kobe or Auckland Better for Students?

Auckland is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Kobe is not popular with students.

Many students visit Auckland. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Kobe is not popular with students.

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

Kobe and Auckland both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Kobe offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Auckland has a few public transit options. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

Is Kobe or Auckland a more walkable city?

Kobe is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Kobe is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

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

Should I spend more time in Auckland or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Auckland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kobe and Auckland. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Auckland than in Kobe. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kobe, and 2-3 days is enough time in Auckland.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Auckland 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 Auckland.

One day in Kobe or Auckland?

The city of Kobe 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.

Auckland is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kobe or Auckland?

Kobe 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 Kobe, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Auckland is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kobe or Auckland?

Kobe 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cosmopolitan big city of Auckland. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kobe or Auckland?

Kobe 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.

The cosmopolitan city of Auckland offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kobe and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Kobe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kobe is in Asia and Auckland 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 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Kobe Expensive? and Is Auckland Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Auckland?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Auckland, 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 Kobe or Auckland?

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

Should I visit Kobe or Auckland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Auckland. Many travelers come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Auckland in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kobe is generally a little warmer than Aucklandin January. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auckland this time of the year. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Auckland during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kobe usually receives more rain than Aucklandin January. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Auckland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Auckland. Many visitors come to Kobe in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Auckland for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

Kobe is a little warmer than Auckland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Auckland fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.

In the autumn, Kobe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aucklandin April. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 162 hours of full sun.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Aucklandin April. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Auckland in the Winter?

Both Auckland and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kobe for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Auckland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Kobe is much colder than Auckland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Auckland averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.

Kobe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auckland during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Auckland. In January, Kobe usually receives less rain than Aucklandin July. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Auckland in the Spring?

Both Auckland and Kobe during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Kobe because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Auckland this time of year.

In April, Kobe is generally around the same temperature as Aucklandin October. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Aucklandin October. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 192 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Aucklandin October. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Auckland and Kobe