A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malang vs. Kamakura for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Malang or Kamakura?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Malang or Kamakura? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Malang or Kamakura?

Malang

Malang is a city in East Java, Indonesia. It's a cultured city with several important universities, and is home to a large student population. Prized by the Dutch for its mild highland climate, the city retains much of its colonial architecture. Established by the Dutch in the closing decades of the 18th century, Malang earned its first fortunes from coffee, which flourished on the surrounding hillsides. Today, the city's colonial grandeur is quickly disappearing behind the homogenous facades of more modern developments, but there's still much to admire. The Balai Kota building blends Indonesian and Dutch styles, and grand mansions line the main boulevard, Jalan Besar Ijen. To the east is Mt. Bromo, a volcano with hiking trails. The central area is not too large and quite walkable. And with a number of Hindu temples and sights outside the city, Malang makes an ideal base to explore this intriguing corner of east Java.

Kamakura

An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kamakura or Malang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Malang is $66, while the average daily cost in Kamakura is $104. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Malang and Kamakura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malang $45
    Kamakura $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malang $90
    Kamakura $150
Compare Hotels in Malang and Kamakura

Looking for a hotel in Malang or Kamakura? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Malang


Hotels in Kamakura


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Malang Hotel Prices and Kamakura Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malang $1.42
    Kamakura $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:

  • South Beaches Tour with Private Transfer: $115
  • Mount Bromo: Sunrise Guided Tour with Optional Transfer: $145
  • One Way Transfer from/to Yogyakarta-Surabaya-Malang-Bromo: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Malang or Kamakura?

Prices for flights to both Kamakura and Malang change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Malang $17
    Kamakura $20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malang $8.88
    Kamakura $5.59

Tours and Activities in Malang

Here are a few actual costs in Malang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Malang local life kampong walking tour - city highlights in between // 4 - 6 hrs: $42
  • 1 Day - Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour with 7 spots // 00.30 -13.00: $43
  • 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing Trip): $45
  • Day Tour - Golden Sunrise Mount Bromo via Malang (Sharing Tour): $47
  • 1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30: $54
  • East Java Dirt Bike Tours: $59
  • Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Experience from Malang or Surabaya: $61
  • Waterfalls Tour: $63
  • Private Full Day Tour of Tumpak Sewu Waterfall: $63
  • From Malang city: 1 Day Mount Bromo Private Tour: $67
  • From Malang or Surabaya: Private Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Tour: $68
  • 1 Day - Tumpak Sewu, Kapas Biru Waterfall, Goa Tetes cave* Tour // 07:30 - 17:00: $70

Tours and Activities in Kamakura

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:

  • Audio Guide Tour of Historic Sites around Kamakura Station: $6.32
  • Kita-Kamakura Audio Guide Tour: Discovering Zen Serenity: $6.32
  • Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $25
  • Tour on the Works of Ninshô in French: $28
  • Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $37
  • Kamakura; First Samurai Capital walking tour: $38
  • Half-Day Tour to Seven Gods of Fortune in Kamakura and Enoshima: $39
  • Kamakura Rickshaw Tour: $39
  • Private Tour from North Kamakura Temples & Shrine: $40
  • Half day Walking tour & Japanese sweets: $44
  • Private History and Heritage Tour by Rickshaw: $51
  • From Tokyo: Kamakura and Enoshima 1-Day Bus Tour: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malang -
    Kamakura $13


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

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


Which is Bigger, Malang or Kamakura?

Malang has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Kamakura, 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.