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

Should you visit Kobe or Wellington?

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 Wellington. 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Kobe and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Wellington?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wellington than Kobe. While Kobe is larger than Wellington, Wellington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wellington is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Kobe is known for its big city activities. Wellington is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also home to Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Wellington is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kobe and Wellington 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, Wellington makes for a great culinary experience. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Kobe or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington 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 Wellington for the nightlife scene. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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 Wellington Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Wellington for it's beautiful beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Wellington Better for Hiking?

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

Wellington offers some nice hiking trails. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Wellington?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kobe and Wellington 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.

Wellington is an extremely popular place for shoppers. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Kobe or Wellington Better for Families?

Wellington 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 Wellington. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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 Wellington Better for Couples?

Kobe and Wellington both good destinations for a couple.

Kobe is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Wellington is a nice destination for couples. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Kobe or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington 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 Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow 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 Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Kobe is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Kobe is not popular with students.

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

Wellington is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Wellington. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Kobe has a few public transit options. 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.

Is Kobe or Wellington a more walkable city?

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

Wellington is a very walkable destination. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Wellington?

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

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

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

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

One day in Kobe or Wellington?

With museums and nightlife around the multicultural city of Kobe, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kobe, one day is sufficent for most.

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Kobe, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Wellington 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 Wellington?

Kobe, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Wellington. 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 Wellington?

Kobe is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The compact city of Wellington 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 comparing the travel costs between Kobe and Wellington, 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 Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Wellington?

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

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

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

In July, Kobe is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 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 Wellingtonin January. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Wellington in the Autumn?

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

Kobe is a little warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

In the autumn, Kobe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin April. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington 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 Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Kobe is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

Kobe usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In January, Kobe usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Wellington in the Spring?

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

In April, Kobe is generally a little warmer than Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Kobe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin October. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Kobe