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

Should you visit Kobe or Torquay?

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 Torquay. 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 under-rated, multicultural, and quaint city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Torquay

Torquay is a laid back, hip, and thriving surf town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Kobe and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Torquay?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kobe. Although Kobe and Torquay are both popular with visitors, Kobe has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kobe is more popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Torquay is known for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Torquay is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts. It is also home to Kobe Harborland.

How is Kobe different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Torquay and Kobe.

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.

Torquay is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

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

Kobe is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kobe has a huge number of terrific 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Torquay area. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Kobe or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Kobe and Torquay.

If you're looking for night time activities Kobe has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Torquay. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Kobe or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Torquay is an amazing surf town to visit for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Torquay offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay is great for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Torquay for the hiking trails. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Torquay?

Kobe is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its shopping areas.

Kobe is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Torquay to go shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Kobe or Torquay Better for Families?

Both Kobe and Torquay are good family-friendly destinations.

Kobe offers lots of family activities. 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.

Torquay is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Kobe or Torquay Better for Couples?

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

Torquay is a great surf town if you're traveling as a couple. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

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 Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kobe and Torquay are good places to visit.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Torquay. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

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

Kobe and Torquay 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.

Torquay has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Kobe or Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Torquay is a very walkable destination. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

Kobe is somewhat walkable. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Torquay?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kobe or Torquay?

In Kobe, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Torquay. 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 Torquay?

In Kobe, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kobe has to offer.

Torquay is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. 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 Torquay?

Kobe is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Torquay. This surf town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kobe or Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kobe. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kobe. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The outdoorsy surf town of Torquay 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 Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kobe and Torquay, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Torquay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kobe is in Asia and Torquay 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 Torquay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Torquay 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe than you might in Torquay.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kobe Expensive? and Is Torquay Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Torquay?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Torquay, 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 Torquay?

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

Both Torquay and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kobe in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Torquay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kobe is generally around the same temperature as Torquayin January. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Torquay. It's quite rainy in Kobe. In July, Kobe usually receives around the same amount of rain as Torquayin January. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Torquay in the Autumn?

Both Torquay and Kobe during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Torquay because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Kobe is cooler than Torquay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Torquay fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in October than Torquayin April. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Torquay in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Torquay. 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 Torquay this time of year.

In the winter, Kobe is much colder than Torquay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Torquay averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

In January, Kobe usually receives less rain than Torquayin July. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Torquay in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Torquay. The activities around the city are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Torquay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Kobe is generally cooler than Torquayin October. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Torquayin October. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Kobe