A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tokyo vs. Sydney for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Tokyo or Sydney?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Sydney? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a high energy, vibrant, and iconic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Sydney

Sydney is a outdoorsy, adventurous, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Tokyo and Sydney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Sydney?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Sydney than Tokyo. While Tokyo is larger than Sydney, Sydney has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sydney is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Tokyo attracts visitors for its food and music. Tokyo is famous for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. Sydney is famous for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also well known for the Sydney Opera House.

How is Tokyo different from Sydney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tokyo or Sydney?

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Sydney and Tokyo.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Tokyo has many famous sights for visitors. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Sydney that are not to be missed. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Is the Food Better in Tokyo or Sydney? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Tokyo is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sydney. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is fantastic in both Tokyo and Sydney.

Tokyo is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Sydney has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Music?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Sydney is not a live music destination.

In Tokyo you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.

Sydney is not a live music destination.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tokyo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few good snorkeling spots. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Tokyo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Beaches?

Sydney is renowned for the beach. However, Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Sydney. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Tokyo is not a beach destination.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Hiking?

Sydney is great for hiking. However, Tokyo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Sydney for the hiking trails. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Tokyo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Sydney?

If you're looking to go shopping, Tokyo and Sydney both offer plenty of fantastic spots.

Many people travel to Tokyo specifically to go shopping. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.

Sydney is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Tokyo or Sydney.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Tokyo is a very family-friendly destination. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.

Sydney is one of the most popular family destinations. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Couples?

Sydney is renowned for couples. Also, Tokyo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Sydney makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Tokyo is a very popular place to visit for couples. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tokyo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Sydney, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Tokyo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Students?

For students, both Tokyo and Sydney are fantastic places to visit.

Many students frequent Tokyo. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.

Students come from all over the world to visit Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Is Tokyo or Sydney Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tokyo and Sydney both offer fantastic public transit to get you around.

Tokyo has a great public transit system. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.

Public transit in Sydney is top-notch. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Is Tokyo or Sydney a more walkable city?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Tokyo on foot is easy. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

Sydney is very walkable. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Tokyo Worth Visiting? and Is Sydney Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sydney or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Sydney?

Both Tokyo and Sydney have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Sydney has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sydney than Tokyo. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Tokyo 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 Sydney.

One day in Tokyo or Sydney?

Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Sydney, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this adventurous big city offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tokyo or Sydney?

Tokyo 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tokyo or Sydney?

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

Sydney is a fun place to experience. In Sydney, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tokyo or Sydney?

Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

In Sydney, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this outdoorsy big city offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Sydney?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Sydney. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Sydney, 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 Tokyo or Sydney?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Sydney in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Sydney. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tokyo is a little warmer than Sydney in the summer. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin January. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo usually gets more rain in July than Sydneyin January. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Sydney in the Autumn?

Both Sydney and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Tokyo is around the same temperature as Sydney. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Sydney averages at about 19°C (65°F)in April.

Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Sydneyin April. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tokyo or Sydney in the Winter?

Both Sydney and Tokyo during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Tokyo is generally much colder than Sydneyin July. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin July. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun.

Tokyo usually gets less rain in January than Sydneyin July. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Sydney in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Sydney. The spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

Tokyo is cooler than Sydney in the spring. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Sydneyin October. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sydney and Tokyo