A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kobe vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Kobe or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise. 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. See Kobe travel costs.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a thrilling, active, and ritzy city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Kobe and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Surfers Paradise?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Kobe and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations, Surfers Paradise has more sights and attractions for tourists. Surfers Paradise is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Kobe attracts visitors for its big city activities. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also well known for the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Kobe is famous for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Surfers Paradise 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 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.

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 Surfers Paradise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kobe and Surfers Paradise can be difficult as they are each great 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, Surfers Paradise makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Kobe or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Surfers Paradise for its luxury resorts. 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.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

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

Surfers Paradise is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Surfers Paradise. 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.

Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kobe or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

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

Surfers Paradise offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is a good destination for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Surfers Paradise offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Surfers Paradise specifically to go shopping. 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.

Kobe is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Kobe or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise 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, Surfers Paradise is very family-friendly. 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.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

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

Surfers Paradise is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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 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 Surfers Paradise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kobe and Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise has a few public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Kobe or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Kobe and Surfers Paradise are nice when it comes to 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Surfers Paradise?

Both Kobe 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 Kobe. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kobe, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

Families should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Kobe. 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 Kobe. 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 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Kobe or Surfers Paradise?

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Surfers Paradise. 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 Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Kobe. 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.

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?

Kobe 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.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the ritzy destination of Surfers Paradise. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Surfers Paradise?

Kobe 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the glamourous city of Surfers Paradise. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Kobe and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Surfers Paradise?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Kobe 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 Kobe 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 Kobe has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Kobe or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Surfers Paradise. Many visitors come to Kobe in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Kobe is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kobe usually receives around the same amount of rain as Surfers Paradisein January. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Surfers Paradise. Most visitors come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Kobe is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kobe in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In the autumn, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein April. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Kobe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Surfers Paradisein April. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

Both Surfers Paradise and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Kobe because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In January, Kobe is generally much colder than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 5°C (42°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kobe usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise and Kobe during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches.

Kobe is cooler than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein October. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Kobe