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

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

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 Kuala Lumpur and Kobe. 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.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a modern, welcoming, and friendly city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Kuala Lumpur travel costs.

Kobe

Kobe is a quaint, subdued, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Kobe travel costs.

Kuala Lumpur and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Kobe, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kuala Lumpur is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. Also, Kuala Lumpur is famous for The Petronas Twin Towers. Kobe is well known for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kuala Lumpur has many famous sights for visitors. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National 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 Kuala Lumpur or Kobe? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Kuala Lumpur, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kobe makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Is Kuala Lumpur or Kobe Better for Nightlife?

Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur for the nightlife scene. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

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 the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Kobe More Beautiful?

Kuala Lumpur is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors from all around. This city's beauty really comes from the welcoming and helpful personality of its residents, but the neighborhoods also have historic charm and character.

Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Kobe Better for Families?

Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Kobe Better for Couples?

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

Kuala Lumpur is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Kobe Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kobe is not popular with students.

Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place to visit for students. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

Kobe is not popular with students.

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

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit 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.

Public transit in Kuala Lumpur is top-notch. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Kobe a more walkable city?

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

Kuala Lumpur is a very walkable destination. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

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 Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting? and Is Kobe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kuala Lumpur or Kobe to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kuala Lumpur than Kobe because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kobe.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

Kuala Lumpur is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Kobe, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this subdued city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

Kuala Lumpur is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Kobe is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

Kuala Lumpur is a colorful big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the subdued destination of Kobe. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

The friendly city of Kuala Lumpur offers nightlife and food. 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.

Kobe is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.

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

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Kobe, 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 Kuala Lumpur or Kobe?

Kobe has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Kobe in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Kobe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kobe this time of year.

In July, Kuala Lumpur is generally around the same temperature as Kobe. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kobe. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Kobe in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Kobe. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Kobe in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Kobe fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kobe. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kobe. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Kobe. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Kobe in the Winter?

Both Kobe and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Kobe in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Kobe. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Kobe averages at about 5°C (42°F).

Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Kobe. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Kobe in the Spring?

Both Kobe and Kuala Lumpur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kobe for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 176 hours of full sun.

Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Kobe. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kobe and Kuala Lumpur