A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Matsue vs. Auckland for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Matsue or Auckland?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Matsue and Auckland can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Matsue

Matsue is a serene, historic, and quiet town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Auckland

Auckland is a thrill-seeking, cosmopolitan , and adventurous city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue and Auckland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Auckland?

You'll generally find more things to do in Auckland than Matsue. Auckland is bigger than Matsue, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Auckland is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Auckland is well known for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. Also, Auckland is famous for the Sky Tower.

How is Matsue different from Auckland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Matsue or Auckland?

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Matsue and Auckland.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Matsue. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Auckland. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Is the Food Better in Matsue or Auckland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Auckland can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Matsue. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Auckland has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Is Matsue or Auckland Better for Nightlife?

Auckland is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Auckland know how to have a good time. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Matsue or Auckland Better for Beaches?

Auckland is a great destination for the beache. However, Matsue is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Auckland attract visitors from all over. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Auckland Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is very good for its old town. However, Auckland does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Matsue. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Auckland does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Auckland Better for Hiking?

Auckland is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Auckland. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Auckland?

Auckland is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Auckland is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Matsue or Auckland Better for Families?

Auckland is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Auckland is a very kid-friendly city. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Matsue or Auckland Better for Couples?

Auckland is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Auckland frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

Matsue is a good town for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Matsue or Auckland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Auckland is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Auckland is a great city to visit for backpackers. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Matsue or Auckland Better for Students?

Auckland is a great destination for students. However, Matsue is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Auckland. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Matsue is not popular with students.

Is Matsue or Auckland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Matsue can get you around easily. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

You'll find some public transit in Auckland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

Is Matsue or Auckland a more walkable city?

Matsue is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Matsue is a very walkable town. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Matsue Worth Visiting? and Is Auckland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auckland or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Auckland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Matsue and Auckland. In our opinion, Auckland has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Auckland than Matsue. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Auckland than Matsue 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 Auckland.

One day in Matsue or Auckland?

The beautiful town of Matsue offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Auckland is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Matsue or Auckland?

Matsue is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Matsue, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Auckland is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Matsue or Auckland?

Matsue is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auckland. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Matsue or Auckland?

Matsue is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the adrenaline-filled big city of Auckland. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Auckland?

Auckland has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Auckland, 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 Matsue or Auckland?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Auckland is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Matsue has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Matsue or Auckland in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Auckland. Many visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Matsue is a little warmer than Auckland in the summer. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Auckland fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auckland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Matsue this time of the year. In the summer, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Aucklandin January. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 240 hours of full sun.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Matsue usually gets more rain in July than Aucklandin January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Auckland in the Autumn?

Both Auckland and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Auckland because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Matsue is around the same temperature as Auckland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Auckland averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auckland during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Aucklandin April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Matsue or Auckland in the Winter?

Both Auckland and Matsue during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Matsue because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Auckland this time of year.

The weather in Matsue can be very cold. In January, Matsue is generally much colder than Aucklandin July. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Aucklandin July. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 141 hours of full sun.

Auckland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Aucklandin July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Auckland in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Auckland. The natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Matsue is cooler than Auckland in the spring. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Auckland fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in October.

Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auckland during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Aucklandin October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Auckland and Matsue