A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yogyakarta vs. Tauranga for Attractions, Families, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Tauranga?

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

Should I visit Yogyakarta or Tauranga? 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 cultural, historical, and colorful city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Yogyakarta travel costs.

Tauranga

Tauranga is a relaxing, nature-filled, and coastal town. The beauty of Tauranga is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Tauranga travel costs.

Yogyakarta and Tauranga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yogyakarta or Tauranga?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Yogyakarta than Tauranga, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Yogyakarta is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Tauranga is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Yogyakarta is popular for its beautiful temples, divine food, and lively dance shows. It is also home to Borobudur Temple. Tauranga is popular for its sandy beaches and beautiful walking trails.

How is Yogyakarta different from Tauranga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Yogyakarta is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Yogyakarta on the map. 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.

Tauranga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of historic buildings in town like the Elms Mission Station which dates back to 1847.

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

Yogyakarta is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Yogyakarta is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Tauranga. You'll find a great mix of restaurants in the town's downtown area. There are international flavors as well as seafood and other local favorites.

Is Yogyakarta or Tauranga Better for Nightlife?

Yogyakarta is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Yogyakarta offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Tauranga. The city is known for its laid back bar scene. There are venues with casual live music as well as pubs where locals and tourists intermingle.

Is Yogyakarta or Tauranga Better for Beaches?

Tauranga is a very popular place for the beach. However, Yogyakarta is not a beach destination.

Tauranga is considered a top beach destination. Families and travelers head here for the sandy beaches and water activities. Surfing, kayaking, and fishing are all popular in the area. Some of the most popular beaches include Mount Maunganui Beach, Waihī Beach, and Anzac Bay.

Yogyakarta is not a beach destination.

Is Yogyakarta or Tauranga Better for its Old Town?

Yogyakarta is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Tauranga does not have a historic old town.

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.

Tauranga does not have a historic old town.

Is Yogyakarta or Tauranga Better for Hiking?

Tauranga is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Yogyakarta is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Tauranga. The Bay of Plenty is filled with hiking trails that run along the coast or head inland through the mountains. There are forest and bush walks that range in length and skill level and there really is something for everyone.

Yogyakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yogyakarta or Tauranga?

Yogyakarta is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Yogyakarta is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Tauranga. You'll find all of the standard shopping malls, retail outlets, and clothing boutiques around town.

Is Yogyakarta or Tauranga More Beautiful?

Tauranga is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Yogyakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Tauranga is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. A mix of beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and other natural environments make this a beautiful destination for travelers.

Yogyakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Yogyakarta or Tauranga Better for Families?

Tauranga is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Yogyakarta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Tauranga is a very family-friendly destination. Check out the ropes courses at Adrenalin Forest or play in the water at Waimarino Adventure Park. There are also many different walking areas like McLaren Falls Park and Kaiate Falls. Kids will love hanging out at the beach around Mount Maunganui or Papamoa Beach. This is an affordable and kid-family destination for locals and international tourists alike.

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 Tauranga Better for Couples?

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

Tauranga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a romantic destination with great beaches and beautiful waterfalls. You can enjoy a picnic in the park or dine at one of the local restaurants. Kayaking is also a popular activity in the area.

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 Tauranga Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tauranga is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Yogyakarta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Tauranga is extremely popular for backpackers. This is one of the more affordable destinations in New Zealand. There are also a number of backpacker-friendly jobs that make it a great place to base yourself.

Yogyakarta is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Is Yogyakarta or Tauranga Better for Students?

Yogyakarta is a popular place for students. However, Tauranga is not popular with students.

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

Tauranga is not popular with students.

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

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

Tauranga has some public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries in the area.

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 Tauranga a more walkable city?

Yogyakarta and Tauranga are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Tauranga is a somewhat walkable city. There are many walking and cycling paths in the area, but you really need a car to explore the area in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Tauranga or Yogyakarta?

How long in Yogyakarta or Tauranga?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Yogyakarta and Tauranga. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Yogyakarta than in Tauranga. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Yogyakarta, and 2-3 days is enough time in Tauranga.

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

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

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

One day in Yogyakarta or Tauranga?

The city of Yogyakarta offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the laid back town of Tauranga, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Yogyakarta or Tauranga?

Yogyakarta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Yogyakarta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Tauranga, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Yogyakarta or Tauranga?

Yogyakarta is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Tauranga, 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 Tauranga?

Yogyakarta is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Tauranga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Tauranga, we can see that Tauranga 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 Tauranga 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 Tauranga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tauranga 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 Tauranga Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Tauranga?

Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Tauranga. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta and Tauranga, 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.