A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yogyakarta vs. Arrowtown for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

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

Should I visit Yogyakarta or Arrowtown? 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.

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a historical, colorful, and youthful city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Yogyakarta travel costs.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a charming, quaint, and quirky town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Arrowtown travel costs.

Yogyakarta and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arrowtown. Although Yogyakarta and Arrowtown are popular destinations, Arrowtown has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arrowtown is very popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Yogyakarta attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping. Yogyakarta is famous for its beautiful temples, divine food, and lively dance shows. Arrowtown is famous for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes. It is also well known for the Chinese Settlement.

How is Yogyakarta different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Yogyakarta is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Arrowtown. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Yogyakarta is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

Yogyakarta is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Yogyakarta from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is known for it's cultural sights and temples. Kraton Yogyakarta is the palace where the Sultan lives. You should also visit Taman Sari Water Castle and Prambanan Temple. But for many visitors, Yogyakarta is seen as the gateway to the famed Borobudur Temple. This is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It offers spectacular views and is best visited at sunrise.

Arrowtown offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Yogyakarta or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Yogyakarta and Arrowtown.

Yogyakarta has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's filled with street food stalls and cheap eateries where you can fill up on local Indonesian classics for a cheap price. Gudeg (stewed jackfruit), Satay, and Bakmi Jawa (Javanese noodles) are just some of the dishes that you must try.

Dining out in Arrowtown is an experience not to be missed. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

Yogyakarta is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Yogyakarta has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With a large student population, you'll find many bars and live music venues around town. You'll also find night markets and plenty of theaters and live shows that you can enjoy.

Arrowtown has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the great old towns in both Yogyakarta and Arrowtown.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Yogyakarta. Kota Gede is the city's old town. It's filled with silver shops, religious sites, and traditional architecture. You'll also find a traditional market in the heart of the old town where you can buy coconut, dry fish, and tofu, or simply browse the unique items.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Arrowtown. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Yogyakarta is not a hiking destination.

People visit Arrowtown specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Yogyakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

Yogyakarta is terrific for shopping. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Yogyakarta. The city is filled with craftsmen and a local art scene that makes it a wonderful shopping destination. There are countless markets and shops where you can pick up local handicrafts that highlight the city's culture.

Arrowtown is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Arrowtown is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Yogyakarta. It's often overlooked by families, but the temples, culture, art scene, and friendly people all make this a surprisingly fun destination for those traveling with kids. You'll also find a number of adventure activities in the area as well.

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Yogyakarta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Arrowtown makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Yogyakarta is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with fun activities for couples such as a visit to Taman Pelangi at night, taking a walk along Jalan Malioboro, and taking in a traditional dance performance.

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yogyakarta and Arrowtown are both great destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Yogyakarta. Backpackers who want to experience Indonesia's culture and friendly population will love a visit to this lively city. There are plenty of hostels and other travelers to meet, but there's also a uniquely Indonesian vibe to the city.

Arrowtown is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown Better for Students?

Yogyakarta is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Arrowtown is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Yogyakarta. There's a large number of students in the city, which makes this a fun place to study abroad.

Arrowtown is not popular with students.

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arrowtown is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Yogyakarta is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Arrowtown has some public transit options. There are public buses throughout the region.

Public transit is generally limited in Yogyakarta. There's a public bus system known as Trans Jogja, which is used by both tourists and locals. You can also hire motorbikes, becak, or Ojek.

Is Yogyakarta or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Yogyakarta and Arrowtown are nice when it comes to walkability.

Yogyakarta is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the main sights are accessible on foot.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Yogyakarta Worth Visiting? and Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Yogyakarta?

How long in Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Yogyakarta than Arrowtown 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 Yogyakarta.

One day in Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Yogyakarta. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Arrowtown might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arrowtown, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the youthful destination of Yogyakarta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Even though Arrowtown is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful city of Yogyakarta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arrowtown, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

Yogyakarta is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Arrowtown is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Arrowtown?

Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta and Arrowtown, 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.