A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nelson vs. Gili Trawangan for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Nelson or Gili Trawangan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nelson and Gili Trawangan 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.

Nelson

Nelson is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. The beauty of Nelson is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Nelson travel costs.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a tropical, idyllic, and laidback island. Gili Trawangan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Gili Trawangan travel costs.

Nelson and Gili Trawangan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nelson or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Gili Trawangan. Although Nelson and Gili Trawangan are popular destinations, Gili Trawangan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Gili Trawangan is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Nelson attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, hiking, and shopping. Gili Trawangan is more touristy than Nelson and is popular for its beautiful water and impressive scuba diving. It is also well known for beautiful beachfront setting. Nelson is famous for its stunning national parks, beautiful coastline, and outdoor adventures.

How is Nelson different from Gili Trawangan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nelson or Gili Trawangan?

Nelson is very good for its museums and history. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Nelson offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people spend their time enjoying the nature-oriented activities, there are several museums in the area as well. Founder's Heritage Park Museum is a village-like setting that you can explore. There's also the Nelson Classic Car Museum and local art and craft galleries that are fun to walk through.

Gili Trawangan offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art and cultural museums on the island, but most people spend their time soaking up the idyllic setting.

Is the Food Better in Nelson or Gili Trawangan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Nelson and Gili Trawangan.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Nelson makes for a great culinary experience. Local ingredients, vineyards, and craft breweries all make the foodie scene around town interesting. There are many great restaurants that offer seasonal menus that change with the season. Eating is an experience in town, and locals take pride in the food they produce.

Gili Trawangan has a huge number of terrific restaurants. As the largest and one of the most touristy of the Gili Islands, you'll find a wide range of cuisines. There's everything from Mexican to Greek available. You'll also find plenty of tropical fruits and some local Indonesian cuisine as well.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan Better for Nightlife?

Gili Trawangan is renowned for nightlife. Also, Nelson is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Gili Trawangan is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. This is the "party island" of the Gili Islands. It has a wild nightlife scene that is particularly popular with backpackers. There are tons of beach bars that have live music, DJs, and nightly parties. There are also regular boat parties. The party scene is pretty well coordinated across the bars, and one bar will stay open late each night while the others close around midnight. This keeps the partygoers concentrated in one location and keeps the energy high for everyone.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Nelson. The city attracts a good tourist crowd, and there are bars and clubs that keep things interesting late into the evening.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan Better for Resorts?

Gili Trawangan is a island with good options for its resorts. However, Nelson is not a resort destination.

Gili Trawangan has a handful of resorts to choose from. The island was long known for its backpacker vibe which included poorly concentrated beach huts. More recently there's been an upswing in upmarket accommodation, particularly on the quieter western and northern sides of the island.

Nelson is not a resort destination.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gili Trawangan is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Nelson is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Gili Trawangan is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Snorkeling and diving are a highlight on the island, and a big draw for many visitors. The island is small, with a large concentration of tourists, so if you book a boat trip, you'll likely be surrounded by others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy colorful fish, a magical undersea world, and the occasional sea turtle.

Nelson is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan Better for Beaches?

Both Nelson and Gili Trawangan are considered to be amazing beach destinations.

Nelson is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Beaches in the area are sandy and most are great for swimming. There are many water sports available as well such as kayaking, kite surfing, and paddleboarding. You'll find locals and tourists alike hanging out at the beach and enjoying a barbecue.

Gili Trawangan offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is filled with white sand beaches, most of which have restaurants and beachside bars nearby. One of the busiest beaches is near the port, but a quieter area is nearby Surf Point. The sunset side of the island is perfect in the evening when the sun starts to dip below the horizon, but the beaches on that side aren't as great as the other side of the island.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan Better for Hiking?

Nelson is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Nelson specifically for its hiking. The area is filled with walking and hiking trails that wander along the coast and soak up the spectacular views. There are also three national parks in the area that are filled with trails. Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, and Nelson Lakes National Park each have their own environments and scenery to explore.

Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nelson or Gili Trawangan?

Nelson is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nelson. There are weekly markets in the area and a variety of retail shops where you can pick up anything you might need.

Gili Trawangan has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most things you need on the island, but this isn't a place people usually shop for fun.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan More Beautiful?

Nelson and Gili Trawangan both are comparable with their superb scenery and beauty.

Nelson is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city is surrounded by beautiful scenery and wonderful outdoor environments.

The beauty of Gili Trawangan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches make this an idyllic island paradise. The setting is perfect for hanging out by the water and soaking up the island vibe.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan Better for Families?

Nelson is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Gili Trawangan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Nelson is one of the most popular family destinations. Surrounded by family-friendly national parks, this city has a number of things for kids to do. In particularly, Abel Tasman National Park is a highlight for kids, with canoeing, sailing and other activities. Kids will also enjoy a visit to Cable Bay Adventure Park or seeing the historically themed Founders Park.

Gili Trawangan is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are many kid-friendly activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and biking. There are also glass bottom boat tours and a great laidback island vibe that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Do note that this is one of the more popular islands for backpackers, so there is a big party scene.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan Better for Couples?

Nelson is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Gili Trawangan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Nelson has plenty to offer. Wilderness, national parks, beaches, and mountain scenery make this a wonderful couples destination. The area also has beautiful vineyards and gardens as well hiking and outdoor adventures.

Couples visit Gili Trawangan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. White sand, blue water, and a true tropical island paradise make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. It's one of the more energetic of the Gili Islands, so if you're looking for a calm retreat, there may be better options, but it still has wonderful resorts and great diving.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Nelson and Gili Trawangan are amazing destinations for backpackers.

Nelson is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many hostels in the area as well as outdoor activities and adventure sports that backpackers will love.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Gili Trawangan is extremely popular for backpackers. It's the most popular of the Gili Islands for backpackers so you'll find tons of hostels and a great nightlife scene. The energy is high and the scenery and idyllic beaches are wonderful.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gili Trawangan is a island with good options for its public transit. However, Nelson is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Gili Trawangan has a few public transit options. Many tourists enjoy getting around the island by cidomo, which are horse-drawn carts. Otherwise, walking or biking are your best options.

Public transit is mostly limited in Nelson. The city has a local bus network, but to efficiently explore everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Is Nelson or Gili Trawangan a more walkable city?

Nelson and Gili Trawangan both are superb when exploring on foot.

Nelson is very walkable. There are many great walks in the area and its a wonderful way to get around.

Gili Trawangan is a very walkable city. While it's the largest of the Gili Islands, it still small enough to walk around in about two hours and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Nelson Worth Visiting? and Is Gili Trawangan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gili Trawangan or Nelson?

How long in Nelson or Gili Trawangan?

It's fun to spend time in either Nelson or Gili Trawangan. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Nelson due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nelson, and 2-4 days is enough time in Gili Trawangan.

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

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

One day in Nelson or Gili Trawangan?

In Nelson, you'll find museums and nightlife. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Gili Trawangan. 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 Nelson or Gili Trawangan?

Nelson is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Gili Trawangan 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 Nelson or Gili Trawangan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nelson. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gili Trawangan. 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 Nelson or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Nelson. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the laidback destination of Gili Trawangan. This island 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 Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

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

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