A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mount Bromo vs. Kobe for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Mount Bromo or Kobe?

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

Should I visit Mount Bromo or Kobe? 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.

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is a breathtaking, scenic, and spectacular volcano. Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Kobe

Kobe is a under-rated, multicultural, and quaint city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Kobe travel costs.

Mount Bromo and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mount Bromo or Kobe?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kobe than Mount Bromo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kobe is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mount Bromo is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Mount Bromo is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its sunrise views and scenic setting. Kobe is well known for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts. Also, Kobe is famous for Kobe Harborland.

How is Mount Bromo different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mount Bromo or Kobe?

Kobe is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Mount Bromo or Kobe? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kobe is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kobe. 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Mount Bromo. You'll find cheap noodle and rice dishes at the warungs in Cemoro Lawang. Some hotels have breakfast and you should pick up some food and water for the hike at a grocery store in town. There are also some stalls along the route, some that are open even at 3am to accommodate early hikers.

Is Mount Bromo or Kobe Better for Nightlife?

Kobe is a popular place for nightlife. However, Mount Bromo is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Kobe has a few options to choose from. 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.

People don't go to Mount Bromo for the nightlife. The stars and the early morning hike are the only nightlife you'll find here.

Is Mount Bromo or Kobe Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo is great for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Mount Bromo for the hiking trails. The setting is beautiful, and best experienced at sunrise, which means most people hike through the night. Some people take horses and most people organized guided tours.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mount Bromo or Kobe?

Kobe is a great city for shopping. However, Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mount Bromo or Kobe More Beautiful?

Mount Bromo is an amazing volcano to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mount Bromo or Kobe Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Mount Bromo or Kobe.

Mount Bromo offers lots of family activities. It really depends on the age of your kids and their personality and adaptability as to whether this is a good trip for them. Many of the tours start in the middle of the night so you can see the spectacular sunrise. The trip can be a bit uncomfortable, but everyone is guaranteed an adventure!

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 Mount Bromo or Kobe Better for Couples?

Mount Bromo is great for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Mount Bromo is a great volcano if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic sunrises and stunning views make this a wonderful destination for couples. The surroundings are surreal and you will long remember the experience.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Mount Bromo or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Mount Bromo and Kobe are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mount Bromo. Some backpackers choose to go without a guided tour, and this will let you save money. Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to the volcano.

Kobe is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

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

Kobe is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its public transit.

While Kobe offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Mount Bromo. Most people visit with a guided tour because this saves a lot of time and allows you to see the sunrise.

Is Mount Bromo or Kobe a more walkable city?

Mount Bromo and Kobe are notable when it comes to walkability.

Mount Bromo is somewhat walkable. The walk takes you across the sand and up some stairs. It's usually less than an hour.

Kobe is a somewhat walkable place. 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 Mount Bromo Worth Visiting? and Is Kobe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Mount Bromo?

How long in Mount Bromo or Kobe?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mount Bromo or Kobe to fill your time. In our opinion, Kobe has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Kobe than Mount Bromo. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kobe than Mount Bromo 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 Kobe.

One day in Mount Bromo or Kobe?

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Mount Bromo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the multicultural city of Kobe. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Mount Bromo or Kobe?

Mount Bromo is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the subdued destination of Kobe. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Mount Bromo or Kobe?

You'll find around the scenic destination of Mount Bromo. This volcano offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The quaint city of Kobe offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Mount Bromo or Kobe?

The spectacular volcano of Mount Bromo offers . Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kobe. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

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

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