A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sendai vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sendai or Surfers Paradise?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Surfers Paradise, 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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Sendai travel costs.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a glamourous, high energy, and thrilling city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Sendai and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Surfers Paradise?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Sendai and Surfers Paradise are both popular with visitors, Surfers Paradise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Surfers Paradise is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Sendai is known for its big city activities. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Sendai and is known for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also home to the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August.

How is Sendai different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?

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

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 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 Sendai or Surfers Paradise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Surfers Paradise has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Surfers Paradise is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

The people in Sendai know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Sendai or Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Sendai is not a resort destination.

Surfers Paradise offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Sendai is not a resort destination.

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

Surfers Paradise is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Surfers Paradise to enjoy 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.

Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sendai or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for the beach. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

The beaches in Surfers Paradise are among the best in the world. 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.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

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

Surfers Paradise has hiking trails worth exploring. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Is Sendai or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Surfers Paradise is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

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

Is Sendai or Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

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

Surfers Paradise makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

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

Sendai is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Sendai can get you to most places 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 Surfers Paradise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Sendai or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Sendai is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Surfers Paradise?

Both Sendai 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 Sendai. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sendai, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

Families should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Sendai. 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 Sendai. 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 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Sendai or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Sendai. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. 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 Sendai or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the lively city of Sendai. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. 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 Sendai or Surfers Paradise?

Sendai is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Sendai or Surfers Paradise?

Sendai is a great place to explore. 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 thrilling 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Sendai and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Sendai 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 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 Sendai Expensive? and Is Surfers Paradise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Surfers Paradise?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Sendai 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 Sendai 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 Sendai has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sendai or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In the summer, Sendai is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sendai in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Sendai. In July, Sendai usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sendai or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise and Sendai during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Sendai is generally cooler than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 15°C (59°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein April. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Surfers Paradisein April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Surfers Paradise. Many travelers come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sendai. Sendai is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sendai usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sendai or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Surfers Paradise. Many visitors come to Sendai in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Sendai is much colder than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sendai in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In the spring, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein October. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Sendai usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Sendai 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 Sendai