A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ubud vs. Kobe for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ubud or Kobe?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Kobe. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ubud

Ubud is a famous, cultural, and breathtaking town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Ubud offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Ubud travel costs.

Kobe

Kobe is a subdued, under-rated, and multicultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Kobe travel costs.

Ubud and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ubud or Kobe?

Both Kobe and Ubud have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Ubud is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Kobe attracts visitors for its big city activities. Ubud is more touristy than Kobe and is popular for its cultural and religious sites, dramatic rice paddies, and local handicrafts. Kobe is famous for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Ubud different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ubud or Kobe?

Ubud is great for its historical sights. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ubud. The town is filled with temples and cultural sights such as the Ubud Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave), the Ubud Royal Palace, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

Is the Food Better in Ubud or Kobe? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ubud is an amazing town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Ubud, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. You'll find some of the best restaurants on Bali in this town. There is everything from family-owned eateries to award winning restaurants. Dishes range from vegan to meat-filled and you'll find both local favorites and western cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kobe makes for a great culinary experience. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

Is Ubud or Kobe Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Ubud or Kobe has a better nightlife scene.

Ubud has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is mostly focused on cultural activities and live music. Many people head here to escape the party scene that is so popular elsewhere on the island.

If you're looking for night time activities Kobe has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Ubud or Kobe Better for Resorts?

Ubud is an amazing town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Ubud for its luxury resorts. You'll find beautiful luxury resorts with impressive pools and dramatic landscapes.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

Is Ubud or Kobe Better for Hiking?

Ubud is great for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Ubud for the hiking trails. There are many stunning walks and hikes just outside of town. There are stunning views from Campuhan Ridge Walk, which is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset. Jalan Subak Sok Wayah Walk will take you through the rice paddies and Kajeng Rice Field Walk is close to town but tucked away from the crowds. One of the biggest draws of the area is the Tegallalang Rice Terraces Walk.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ubud or Kobe?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Kobe and Ubud.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Ubud. Head to the Ubud shopping street for boutiques, markets, and local items. The town has grown into a shopper's paradise with many Balinese handicrafts around.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kobe. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

Is Ubud or Kobe More Beautiful?

Ubud is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ubud offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's a stunning setting, which makes it appealing to tourists, but to truly enjoy the beauty you'll want to get a bit outside of town.

Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ubud or Kobe Better for Families?

Both Ubud and Kobe are nice family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ubud. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the jungles and rice paddies. There are also many great restaurants that are family-friend. Ubud is a bit cooler than the beach towns of Bali, so kids will enjoy an escape from the hotter temperatures.

Kobe offers lots of family activities. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Ubud or Kobe Better for Couples?

Ubud is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Ubud is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Honeymooners flock to this small town for its stunning scenery and beautiful temples. There are luxury hotels, spas, massages, and poolside escapes that will make for the perfect honeymoon. You'll also find world class restaurants and breathtaking hikes in the area.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Is Ubud or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ubud is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Ubud. If you need a break from the party scene on Bali, then you'll enjoy the reprieve of this small town. There are still plenty of backpackers and hostels, but the town itself offers a more relaxed setting.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

Is Ubud or Kobe Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kobe is a good destination for its public transit. However, Ubud is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Kobe, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ubud. Many people hire a vehicle or driver to explore the area. There are also tourist shuttles around with Perama Shuttle being one of the most established.

Is Ubud or Kobe a more walkable city?

Ubud is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Ubud is a very walkable destination. The town is generally walkable and easy to explore on foot, but you'll need other transportation if you want to get outside of town.

Kobe is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

For even more information, also check out Is Ubud Worth Visiting? and Is Kobe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Ubud?

How long in Ubud or Kobe?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ubud or Kobe to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ubud than Kobe because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Ubud, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kobe.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ubud than Kobe 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 Ubud.

One day in Ubud or Kobe?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Ubud. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Kobe. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Ubud or Kobe?

Ubud is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kobe is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Ubud or Kobe?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the famous destination of Ubud. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the multicultural destination of Kobe. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Ubud or Kobe?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the popular town of Ubud. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

The subdued city of Kobe offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ubud or Kobe?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Kobe, 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.