A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yamaguchi vs. Gili Trawangan for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan, 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.

Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi is a tranquil, scenic, and traditional town. The beauty of Yamaguchi is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food. See Yamaguchi travel costs.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a laidback, tropical, and idyllic island. With stunning beauty, Gili Trawangan attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Gili Trawangan travel costs.

Yamaguchi and Gili Trawangan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gili Trawangan. Although Yamaguchi and Gili Trawangan are both popular with visitors, Gili Trawangan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gili Trawangan is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Yamaguchi is known for its museums and attractions and hiking. Gili Trawangan is more touristy than Yamaguchi and is known for its beautiful water and impressive scuba diving. It is also home to beautiful beachfront setting. Yamaguchi is popular for its temples, serene setting, and traditional ways.

How is Yamaguchi different from Gili Trawangan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan?

Yamaguchi is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Yamaguchi specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many historic shrines and temples in the area, as well as the Kintai Bridge.

Gili Trawangan offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art and cultural museums on the island, but most people spend their time soaking up the idyllic setting.

Is the Food Better in Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Yamaguchi and Gili Trawangan offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Yamaguchi has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has a long-running farming and fishing industry, so you can be assured fresh ingredients at every meal. Dishes are still deeply rooted in the area's culinary traditions, and perhaps the most famous local delicacy is the Fugu fish, otherwise known as blowfish. It's become famous among westerners as the fish can be poisonous if not prepared correctly.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Gili Trawangan makes for a great culinary experience. As the largest and one of the most touristy of the Gili Islands, you'll find a wide range of cuisines. There's everything from Mexican to Greek available. You'll also find plenty of tropical fruits and some local Indonesian cuisine as well.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan Better for Nightlife?

Gili Trawangan is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. However, Yamaguchi is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Gili Trawangan is a world class party destination. This is the "party island" of the Gili Islands. It has a wild nightlife scene that is particularly popular with backpackers. There are tons of beach bars that have live music, DJs, and nightly parties. There are also regular boat parties. The party scene is pretty well coordinated across the bars, and one bar will stay open late each night while the others close around midnight. This keeps the partygoers concentrated in one location and keeps the energy high for everyone.

Yamaguchi is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some pubs and local bars, but most of the area is peaceful and tranquil, especially at night.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan Better for Resorts?

Gili Trawangan is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Yamaguchi is not a resort destination.

Gili Trawangan has a few great resort options. The island was long known for its backpacker vibe which included poorly concentrated beach huts. More recently there's been an upswing in upmarket accommodation, particularly on the quieter western and northern sides of the island.

Yamaguchi is not a resort destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gili Trawangan is a must-visit destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Yamaguchi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Gili Trawangan specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. Snorkeling and diving are a highlight on the island, and a big draw for many visitors. The island is small, with a large concentration of tourists, so if you book a boat trip, you'll likely be surrounded by others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy colorful fish, a magical undersea world, and the occasional sea turtle.

Yamaguchi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan Better for Beaches?

Gili Trawangan is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Yamaguchi is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Gili Trawangan are among the best in the world. The island is filled with white sand beaches, most of which have restaurants and beachside bars nearby. One of the busiest beaches is near the port, but a quieter area is nearby Surf Point. The sunset side of the island is perfect in the evening when the sun starts to dip below the horizon, but the beaches on that side aren't as great as the other side of the island.

Yamaguchi is not a beach destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan Better for Hiking?

Yamaguchi is very good for its hiking trails. However, Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Yamaguchi. There are hiking and walking trails throughout the prefecture so that you can energy the natural setting.

Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan?

Gili Trawangan is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Gili Trawangan has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most things you need on the island, but this isn't a place people usually shop for fun.

Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of excellent scenery and beauty in both Yamaguchi and Gili Trawangan.

With stunning beauty, Yamaguchi attracts visitors from all around. The area is famed for its serene setting and natural beauty. There are many historic temples and pagodas in the area.

Gili Trawangan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches make this an idyllic island paradise. The setting is perfect for hanging out by the water and soaking up the island vibe.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan Better for Families?

Gili Trawangan is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Gili Trawangan. There are many kid-friendly activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and biking. There are also glass bottom boat tours and a great laidback island vibe that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Do note that this is one of the more popular islands for backpackers, so there is a big party scene.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Yamaguchi. The city offers beautiful temples and a glimpse into Japanese culture that kids and adults alike will enjoy. There are also beautiful gardens and nearby natural scenery.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan Better for Couples?

Yamaguchi and Gili Trawangan are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Yamaguchi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its historic temples, natural beauty, and nice green space, this is a lovely city to explore as a couple.

Couples visit Gili Trawangan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. White sand, blue water, and a true tropical island paradise make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. It's one of the more energetic of the Gili Islands, so if you're looking for a calm retreat, there may be better options, but it still has wonderful resorts and great diving.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gili Trawangan is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Gili Trawangan, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. It's the most popular of the Gili Islands for backpackers so you'll find tons of hostels and a great nightlife scene. The energy is high and the scenery and idyllic beaches are wonderful.

Yamaguchi is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and budget-friendly accommodation options in the area.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Yamaguchi and Gili Trawangan.

Yamaguchi has some public transit options. There are buses through the city and prefecture.

You'll find some public transit in Gili Trawangan, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many tourists enjoy getting around the island by cidomo, which are horse-drawn carts. Otherwise, walking or biking are your best options.

Is Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan a more walkable city?

Gili Trawangan is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Gili Trawangan is a very walkable destination. While it's the largest of the Gili Islands, it still small enough to walk around in about two hours and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

Yamaguchi is somewhat walkable. There are a number of walking trails in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Yamaguchi Worth Visiting? and Is Gili Trawangan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gili Trawangan or Yamaguchi?

How long in Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan?

It's fun to spend time in either Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Gili Trawangan due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Yamaguchi, and 2-4 days is enough time in Gili Trawangan.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Yamaguchi 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 Gili Trawangan.

One day in Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan?

In Yamaguchi, you'll find museums and food. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the island of Gili Trawangan. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan?

Yamaguchi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the tropical destination of Gili Trawangan. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yamaguchi. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the tropical island of Gili Trawangan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Yamaguchi or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the town of Yamaguchi. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Gili Trawangan is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

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

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