A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Matsue vs. Sydney for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Matsue or Sydney?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Matsue and Sydney can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Matsue

Matsue is a historic, quiet, and peaceful town. With stunning beauty, Matsue attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Matsue travel costs.

Sydney

Sydney is a diverse, energetic, and outdoorsy city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of Sydney is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Sydney travel costs.

Matsue and Sydney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Sydney?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney than Matsue, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sydney is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is known for its historical sights. Matsue is popular for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Sydney is popular for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also home to the Sydney Opera House.

How is Matsue different from Sydney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Matsue or Sydney?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Sydney are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Matsue. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

Is the Food Better in Matsue or Sydney? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Matsue and Sydney can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Matsue. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Sydney has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Sydney is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a city with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for Beaches?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Matsue is not a beach destination.

Sydney is considered to be a world-class beach destination. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Matsue offers a nice historic old town area. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for Hiking?

Sydney is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Sydney?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Sydney make it a world-class shopping destination. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Matsue or Sydney More Beautiful?

Matsue and Sydney are somewhat similar when it comes to the high quality scenery.

The beauty of Matsue is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is a pretty town with a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and a lakefront setting.

With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for Families?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Sydney is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for Couples?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Sydney is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Matsue is a good town for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Sydney. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for Students?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for students. However, Matsue is not popular with students.

Sydney is a very popular city for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Matsue is not popular with students.

Is Matsue or Sydney Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Sydney can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Matsue. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

Is Matsue or Sydney a more walkable city?

Matsue and Sydney both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Matsue is a very walkable town. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Matsue Worth Visiting? and Is Sydney Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sydney or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Sydney?

Both Matsue and Sydney have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than in Matsue. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Matsue, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sydney.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Matsue 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 Sydney.

One day in Matsue or Sydney?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Matsue. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Matsue or Sydney?

Matsue is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sydney is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Matsue or Sydney?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Matsue or Sydney?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the pretty destination of Matsue. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Sydney?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Sydney, 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 Matsue or Sydney?

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

Should I visit Matsue or Sydney in the Summer?

Both Sydney and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Matsue is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Matsue in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Sydney averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during summer. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In July, Matsue usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Matsue or Sydney in the Autumn?

Both Sydney and Matsue during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Matsue because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

In October, Matsue is generally cooler than Sydneyin April. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 17°C (62°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin April. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun.

Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in October than Sydneyin April. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Sydney in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Sydney. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. Matsue is much colder than Sydney in the winter. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during winter. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Matsue usually receives more rain than Sydneyin July. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Matsue or Sydney in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Sydney. Many travelers come to Matsue for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Sydney in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Matsue is cooler than Sydney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Matsue in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Sydney averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. In the spring, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin October. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the spring. Matsue usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sydney and Matsue