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

Should you visit Kobe or Melbourne?

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 Kobe and Melbourne. 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.

Kobe

Kobe is a quaint, subdued, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Kobe travel costs.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping. See Melbourne travel costs.

Kobe and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Melbourne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Melbourne than Kobe, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Melbourne is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also home to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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 Kobe or Melbourne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kobe and Melbourne can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Kobe has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Melbourne makes for a great culinary experience. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Is Kobe or Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is great for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Melbourne for the nightlife scene. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kobe. 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 Kobe or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is great for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Melbourne for it's beautiful beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Melbourne?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kobe and Melbourne both offer plenty of superb spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Melbourne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Is Kobe or Melbourne Better for Families?

Melbourne is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Melbourne. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Kobe is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Kobe or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Kobe and Melbourne both good destinations for a couple.

Kobe is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Melbourne is a nice destination for couples. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Kobe or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kobe and Melbourne are good places to visit.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Kobe or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kobe is not popular with students.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Kobe is not popular with students.

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

Melbourne is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Kobe has a few public transit options. 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.

Is Kobe or Melbourne a more walkable city?

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

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Kobe Worth Visiting? and Is Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Melbourne?

In either Kobe or Melbourne, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Melbourne than Kobe because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kobe, and 2-5 days is enough time in Melbourne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Melbourne 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 Melbourne.

One day in Kobe or Melbourne?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kobe. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kobe has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Melbourne is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kobe or Melbourne?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the multicultural destination of Kobe. 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.

Melbourne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Kobe or Melbourne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the subdued city of Kobe. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Melbourne is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Kobe or Melbourne?

Kobe is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

The progressive city of Melbourne offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kobe and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Kobe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kobe is in Asia and Melbourne 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 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Kobe Expensive? and Is Melbourne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kobe. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Melbourne, 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 Kobe or Melbourne?

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

Should I visit Kobe or Melbourne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Melbourne. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kobe is generally a little warmer than Melbournein January. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kobe usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Melbourne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Melbourne. Many travelers come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Melbourne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Kobe is a little warmer than Melbourne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in April.

In the autumn, Kobe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Melbournein April. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Melbourne in the Winter?

Both Melbourne and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kobe in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Kobe is much colder than Melbourne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Melbourne averages at about 9°C (49°F)in July.

Kobe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Melbourne during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kobe usually receives around the same amount of rain as Melbournein July. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne and Kobe during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kobe for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Kobe is generally around the same temperature as Melbournein October. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Melbournein October. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Kobe