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

Should you visit Kobe or Cairns?

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 Cairns. 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Cairns

Cairns is a adventure-filled, tropical, and idyllic city. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Kobe and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Cairns?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cairns than Kobe. While Kobe is larger than Cairns, Cairns has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cairns is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Kobe attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Cairns is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also well known for the Great Barrier Reef. Kobe is famous for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kobe is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

Is the Food Better in Kobe or Cairns? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kobe and Cairns can be difficult as they are each superb 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, Cairns makes for a great culinary experience. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

Is Kobe or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Cairns has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

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 Cairns Better for Resorts?

Cairns is great for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Cairns to choose from. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

Is Kobe or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Cairns. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kobe or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Cairns offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Cairns is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Cairns?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kobe and Cairns both offer plenty of superb 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.

Cairns is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Is Kobe or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Cairns is very family-friendly. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

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 Cairns Better for Couples?

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

Cairns is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

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 Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairns is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Cairns, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

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 Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kobe and Cairns both offer nice 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.

Cairns has a few public transit options. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Kobe or Cairns a more walkable city?

Kobe is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Cairns is lacking in options for its walkability.

Kobe is a somewhat walkable city. 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.

Cairns is generally not very walkable. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Cairns?

In either Kobe or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairns than Kobe because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kobe, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

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

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

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

One day in Kobe or Cairns?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Cairns. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Cairns?

Kobe 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.

Cairns is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kobe or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kobe. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Cairns. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Kobe or Cairns?

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

The adventure-filled city of Cairns offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Kobe and Cairns, we can see that Kobe 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 Kobe is in Asia and Cairns 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 Kobe Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Cairns?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Cairns, 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 Cairns?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Cairns. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kobe is around the same temperature as Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.

Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kobe usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Should I visit Kobe or Cairns in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Kobe is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kobe in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Cairns. Kobe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.

Should I visit Kobe or Cairns in the Winter?

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

In January, Kobe is generally much colder than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 5°C (42°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In January, Kobe usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Cairns in the Spring?

Both Cairns and Kobe during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kobe for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches.

Kobe is much colder than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Kobe