A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Resorts, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Surfers Paradise 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a scenic, historic, and traditional city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a high energy, thrilling, and active city. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Nagano and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nagano. Although Nagano and Surfers Paradise are both popular with visitors, Nagano has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nagano is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Surfers Paradise is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Nagano and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. Nagano is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also home to Zenko-ji Temple.

How is Nagano different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Surfers Paradise is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Surfers Paradise is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nagano and Surfers Paradise.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Surfers Paradise. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

Is the Food Better in Nagano or Surfers Paradise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Nagano and Surfers Paradise.

Nagano has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Dining out in Surfers Paradise is an experience not to be missed. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Surfers Paradise is a must-see party destination. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

Nagano offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

Surfers Paradise is a world class resort vacation destination. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a great city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for the beache. However, Nagano is not a beach destination.

Surfers Paradise is considered to be a world-class beach destination. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Surfers Paradise does not have a historic old town.

Nagano has an old town worth visiting. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Surfers Paradise does not have a historic old town.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Surfers Paradise draws large crowds to its stores. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

Nagano is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

Surfers Paradise is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Surfers Paradise is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Surfers Paradise is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Students?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Surfers Paradise is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Nagano. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Surfers Paradise is not popular with students.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagano and Surfers Paradise both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Nagano offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Surfers Paradise has a few public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Nagano or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Nagano and Surfers Paradise are good when it comes to walkability.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

Surfers Paradise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking and bike paths around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Nagano Worth Visiting? and Is Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

Both Nagano and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Nagano. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Nagano 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the alpine destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Surfers Paradise. 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 Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the traditional city of Nagano. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Surfers Paradise is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

Nagano is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surfers Paradise. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

Nagano is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the glamourous destination of Surfers Paradise. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Nagano and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Nagano is in Asia and Surfers Paradise 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 Nagano Expensive? and Is Surfers Paradise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Surfers Paradise, 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 Nagano or Surfers Paradise?

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

Should I visit Nagano or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Surfers Paradise. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nagano is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Surfers Paradise. The autumn months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In October, Nagano is generally cooler than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In the autumn, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein April. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

Both Surfers Paradise and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. Nagano is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradise during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Nagano is much colder than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein October. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nagano usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Nagano