A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mount Bromo vs. Koyasan for Hiking, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Mount Bromo or Koyasan?

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

Should I visit Mount Bromo or Koyasan? 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.

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is a spectacular, breathtaking, and scenic volcano. The famous beauty of Mount Bromo is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a serene, spiritual, and traditional town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Koyasan is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums. See Koyasan travel costs.

Mount Bromo and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mount Bromo or Koyasan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koyasan. Although Mount Bromo and Koyasan are popular destinations, Koyasan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koyasan is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and small town charm, while Mount Bromo attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Mount Bromo is famous for its sunrise views and scenic setting. Koyasan is famous for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. It is also well known for Kongobu-ji Head Temple.

How is Mount Bromo different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mount Bromo or Koyasan?

Koyasan is a great town for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Koyasan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Mount Bromo or Koyasan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koyasan is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Koyasan. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Mount Bromo. You'll find cheap noodle and rice dishes at the warungs in Cemoro Lawang. Some hotels have breakfast and you should pick up some food and water for the hike at a grocery store in town. There are also some stalls along the route, some that are open even at 3am to accommodate early hikers.

Is Mount Bromo or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Neither Mount Bromo or Koyasan offer decent nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mount Bromo The stars and the early morning hike are the only nightlife you'll find here.

People don't go to Koyasan for the nightlife. This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Mount Bromo or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a great town for its historic old town. However, Mount Bromo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Koyasan. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Mount Bromo does not have a historic old town.

Is Mount Bromo or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Mount Bromo. The setting is beautiful, and best experienced at sunrise, which means most people hike through the night. Some people take horses and most people organized guided tours.

Koyasan is a good destination for hiking. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Is Mount Bromo or Koyasan More Beautiful?

Mount Bromo is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Mount Bromo is one of the main draws. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

Koyasan offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Is Mount Bromo or Koyasan Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Mount Bromo or Koyasan.

Mount Bromo offers lots of family activities. It really depends on the age of your kids and their personality and adaptability as to whether this is a good trip for them. Many of the tours start in the middle of the night so you can see the spectacular sunrise. The trip can be a bit uncomfortable, but everyone is guaranteed an adventure!

Koyasan is a family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Mount Bromo or Koyasan Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Mount Bromo and Koyasan make for a superb place to visit.

Mount Bromo is a great volcano if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic sunrises and stunning views make this a wonderful destination for couples. The surroundings are surreal and you will long remember the experience.

Koyasan is a very popular place to visit for couples. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

Is Mount Bromo or Koyasan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Mount Bromo and Koyasan are nice places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mount Bromo. Some backpackers choose to go without a guided tour, and this will let you save money. Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to the volcano.

Koyasan is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

Is Mount Bromo or Koyasan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Koyasan is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its public transit.

While Koyasan offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

Public transit is generally limited in Mount Bromo. Most people visit with a guided tour because this saves a lot of time and allows you to see the sunrise.

Is Mount Bromo or Koyasan a more walkable city?

Koyasan is a great town for its walkability. Also, Mount Bromo is not as popular, but is still a nice volcano for its high level of walkability.

Koyasan is very walkable. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Mount Bromo is a somewhat walkable place. The walk takes you across the sand and up some stairs. It's usually less than an hour.

For even more information, also check out Is Mount Bromo Worth Visiting? and Is Koyasan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Mount Bromo?

How long in Mount Bromo or Koyasan?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mount Bromo or Koyasan to fill your time. In our opinion, Koyasan has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Koyasan than Mount Bromo. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koyasan than Mount Bromo 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 Koyasan.

One day in Mount Bromo or Koyasan?

In Mount Bromo, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This volcano offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Koyasan is a small town with plenty to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Mount Bromo or Koyasan?

In Mount Bromo, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mount Bromo has to offer.

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Mount Bromo or Koyasan?

Mount Bromo is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Because Koyasan is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Mount Bromo or Koyasan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mount Bromo. Many people enjoy the when visiting Mount Bromo. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Since Koyasan is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in 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 Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

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

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