A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sendai vs. Milford Sound for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sendai or Milford Sound?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Milford Sound, 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping. See Sendai travel costs.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a world renowned, remote, and iconic fiord. Milford Sound is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the skiing and hiking. See Milford Sound travel costs.

Sendai and Milford Sound: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Milford Sound?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sendai. Although Sendai and Milford Sound are both popular with visitors, Sendai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sendai is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Milford Sound is known for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Sendai is more touristy than Milford Sound and is known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also home to the statue of Lord Masamune. Milford Sound is popular for its iconic hiking trails, stunning boat tours, and dramatic mountains.

How is Sendai different from Milford Sound?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sendai or Milford Sound Better for Skiing?

Milford Sound is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Sendai is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Milford Sound. Many locals head to the snow-capped peaks to enjoy skiing, but if you're unfamiliar with the area, a ski tour is your best option.

Sendai is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sendai or Milford Sound?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sendai. 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.

Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Sendai or Milford Sound? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sendai is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Sendai is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

While Milford Sound is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. You'll find a restaurant or two in the small town of Milford Sound. Your best option is the Milford Sound Lodge. In the park you'll want to come prepared with your own food. Many organized tours include a picnic lunch.

Is Sendai or Milford Sound Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Milford Sound. Things get quiet at night and there's little in the form of nightlife.

Is Sendai or Milford Sound Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a good destination for the beach. However, Milford Sound is not a beach destination.

Sendai offers a nice beach destination. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Milford Sound is not a beach destination.

Is Sendai or Milford Sound Better for Hiking?

Milford Sound is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Milford Sound draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The Milford Track has long been considered one of the world's best hikes. It's also, arguably, the most famous hike in New Zealand. The 53 kilometer trek takes you from Lake Te Anau through stunning scenery, alpine settings, and across spectacular suspension bridges.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Milford Sound?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sendai. 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.

Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sendai or Milford Sound More Beautiful?

Milford Sound is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Milford Sound is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This is one of the most spectacular natural settings in New Zealand. The remoteness, combined with the mountains, waterfalls, and stunning views make this a true bucket list destination.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sendai or Milford Sound Better for Families?

Sendai and Milford Sound are both great 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.

Milford Sound is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The outdoor wonders will impress the kids as much as the adults. There are shorter walks that are family-friendly and the boat rides are also fun for the whole family. You can take a scenic flight or visit the stunning Mirror Lakes. This really is a playground for both kids and adults.

Is Sendai or Milford Sound Better for Couples?

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

Milford Sound makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is one of the most stunning natural areas in the world, and the romance comes from the spectacular beauty, world class hikes, and breathtaking surroundings that will leave you awed and inspired.

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 Milford Sound Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sendai and Milford Sound are both good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Sendai. 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.

Milford Sound is a good city to visit for backpackers. The area's remoteness and high price tag make it a bit challenging for backpackers and budget travelers. If you have plenty of time and enough money, it is truly a not to be missed destination.

Is Sendai or Milford Sound 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. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its public transit.

Sendai offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Public transit is generally limited in Milford Sound. There are buses in the area, but private vehicles or organized tours are your best option for getting around.

Is Sendai or Milford Sound a more walkable city?

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

Sendai is a very walkable destination. 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.

Milford Sound is not a walkable city. This is one of the most remote places in New Zealand so you really must have a car or organized transportation to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Sendai Worth Visiting? and Is Milford Sound Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milford Sound or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Milford Sound?

Sendai and Milford Sound both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Milford Sound than Sendai because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sendai, and 2-6 days is enough time in Milford Sound.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sendai than Milford Sound 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 Sendai.

One day in Sendai or Milford Sound?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cosmopolitan destination of Sendai. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the skiing when visiting the destination of Milford Sound. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sendai or Milford Sound?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sendai. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Milford Sound is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Milford Sound?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively destination of Sendai. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milford Sound. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Sendai or Milford Sound?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Sendai. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the skiing when visiting the iconic destination of Milford Sound. This fiord offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, and The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Sendai and Milford Sound, we can see that Milford Sound 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 Sendai is in Asia and Milford Sound 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 Sendai Expensive? and Is Milford Sound Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Milford Sound?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 2390 times larger than the population of Milford Sound. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Milford Sound, 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.