A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yokohama vs. Wollongong for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Yokohama or Wollongong?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama or Wollongong, 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.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a bright, colorful, and under-rated city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a trendy, vibrant, and student-friendly coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Yokohama and Wollongong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yokohama or Wollongong?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Wollongong than Yokohama. While Yokohama is larger than Wollongong, Wollongong has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wollongong is better known for its beaches and hiking, while Yokohama is more popular for its shopping and big city activities. Yokohama is well known for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. Wollongong is well known for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. Also, Wollongong is famous for Grand Pacific Drive.

How is Yokohama different from Wollongong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Yokohama or Wollongong?

Both Yokohama and Wollongong have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Yokohama can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Wollongong. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

Is the Food Better in Yokohama or Wollongong? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Yokohama and Wollongong.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Yokohama makes for a great culinary experience. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

Wollongong has a huge number of terrific restaurants. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

Is Yokohama or Wollongong Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Yokohama and Wollongong.

Yokohama is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

Many people head to Wollongong for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

Is Yokohama or Wollongong Better for Beaches?

Wollongong is well known for its beaches. However, Yokohama is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wollongong. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

Yokohama is not a beach destination.

Is Yokohama or Wollongong Better for Hiking?

Wollongong is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Yokohama is not a hiking destination.

Wollongong has hiking trails worth exploring. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Yokohama is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yokohama or Wollongong?

Yokohama is great for its shopping areas. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Yokohama. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

Wollongong is a great destination for shopping. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

Is Yokohama or Wollongong Better for Families?

Yokohama is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Yokohama is a very family-friendly destination. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

Wollongong is a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

Is Yokohama or Wollongong Better for Couples?

Yokohama and Wollongong are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Yokohama frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

Wollongong is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

Is Yokohama or Wollongong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yokohama and Wollongong are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Yokohama. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Wollongong is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

Is Yokohama or Wollongong Better for Students?

Yokohama and Wollongong are notable places to visit for students.

Yokohama is popular with students. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

It's common for students to visit Wollongong. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

Is Yokohama or Wollongong Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Yokohama and Wollongong.

Public transit in Yokohama is fairly effecient and thorough. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

Wollongong has some very good public transit options. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in town.

Is Yokohama or Wollongong a more walkable city?

Yokohama and Wollongong both are very good when exploring on foot.

Yokohama is very walkable. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

Wollongong is a very walkable city. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

For even more information, also check out Is Yokohama Worth Visiting? and Is Wollongong Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wollongong or Yokohama?

How long in Yokohama or Wollongong?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wollongong than Yokohama 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 Wollongong.

One day in Yokohama or Wollongong?

When visiting Yokohama, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Yokohama, one day is sufficent for most.

The coastal city of Wollongong offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A weekend in Yokohama or Wollongong?

When visiting Yokohama, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Wollongong is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wollongong, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Yokohama or Wollongong?

Yokohama, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wollongong 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.

A week in Yokohama or Wollongong?

Yokohama 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.

Wollongong is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Yokohama and Wollongong, we can see that Yokohama is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Yokohama is in Asia and Wollongong is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Yokohama or Wollongong?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Wollongong. When comparing the sizes of Yokohama and Wollongong, 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 Yokohama or Wollongong?

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

Should I visit Yokohama or Wollongong in the Summer?

Both Wollongong and Yokohama during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Yokohama in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Wollongong for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Yokohama is generally around the same temperature as Wollongongin January. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 25°C (78°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Yokohama often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin January. Yokohama gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yokohama. Yokohama usually gets more rain in July than Wollongongin January. Yokohama gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Wollongong in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yokohama and Wollongong. Most visitors come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Yokohama is around the same temperature as Wollongong in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

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

Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Wollongongin April. Yokohama gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yokohama or Wollongong in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yokohama as well as Wollongong. The winter months attract visitors to Yokohama because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

In the winter, Yokohama is much colder than Wollongong. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yokohama in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Wollongong averages at about 10°C (50°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. In the winter, Yokohama often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin July. Yokohama gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun.

Yokohama usually gets more rain in January than Wollongongin July. Yokohama gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Wollongong in the Spring?

Both Wollongong and Yokohama are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wollongong for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Yokohama is generally cooler than Wollongongin October. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 14°C (58°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during spring. Yokohama gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Yokohama. In April, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Wollongongin October. Yokohama gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Yokohama