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

Should you visit Sendai or Auckland?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Auckland, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sendai

Sendai is a lively, high energy, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sendai travel costs.

Auckland

Auckland is a adrenaline-filled, thrill-seeking, and cosmopolitan city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Auckland travel costs.

Sendai and Auckland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Auckland?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Auckland than Sendai. While Sendai is larger than Auckland, Auckland has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Sendai is well known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. 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 Sendai different from Auckland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sendai and Auckland.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sendai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Sendai or Auckland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Auckland has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Sendai or Auckland Better for Nightlife?

Both Sendai and Auckland have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Sendai has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

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.

Is Sendai or Auckland Better for Beaches?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Auckland. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sendai. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Is Sendai or Auckland Better for Hiking?

Auckland is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Auckland has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Auckland?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Sendai and Auckland.

Sendai is well-known for its shopping. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Auckland. 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.

Is Sendai or Auckland Better for Families?

Sendai and Auckland are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sendai is very family-friendly. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Auckland is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Sendai or Auckland Better for Couples?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Auckland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Sendai is a good city for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Sendai or Auckland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Auckland. 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.

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

Is Sendai or Auckland Better for Students?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sendai is not popular with students.

Auckland is a great city to visit as a student. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

Sendai 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 Sendai can get you around easily. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

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 Sendai or Auckland a more walkable city?

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

Sendai is a very walkable city. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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 Sendai Worth Visiting? and Is Auckland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auckland or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Auckland?

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

Families should spend more time in Auckland than Sendai. 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 Sendai. 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 Sendai 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 Sendai or Auckland?

The city of Sendai 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 Sendai or Auckland?

Sendai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sendai, 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 Sendai or Auckland?

Sendai 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 Sendai or Auckland?

Sendai 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 city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the adventurous 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Sendai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sendai 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 Sendai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sendai 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 Sendai.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Auckland?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Sendai 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 Sendai 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 Sendai has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sendai or Auckland in the Summer?

Both Auckland and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Auckland because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Sendai is a little warmer than Auckland in the summer. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Auckland fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Auckland. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Auckland during summer. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. In July, Sendai usually receives more rain than Aucklandin January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Auckland in the Autumn?

Both Auckland and Sendai during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Sendai because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Auckland this time of year.

In the autumn, Sendai is around the same temperature as Auckland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sendai in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Auckland averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

In the autumn, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Aucklandin April. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 162 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets more rain in October than Aucklandin April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Auckland in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Auckland. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Auckland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Sendai in the winter. In January, Sendai is generally much colder than Aucklandin July. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 2°C (35°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Sendai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auckland during winter. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.

Auckland receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Sendai usually receives less rain than Aucklandin July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Auckland in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Auckland. Many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Auckland in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Sendai is cooler than Auckland in the spring. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Auckland fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in October.

In the spring, Sendai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aucklandin October. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 192 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets more rain in April than Aucklandin October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Auckland and Sendai