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

Should you visit Mount Bromo or Melbourne?

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

Should I visit Mount Bromo or Melbourne? 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 spectacular, breathtaking, and scenic volcano. Mount Bromo is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Melbourne travel costs.

Mount Bromo and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mount Bromo or Melbourne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Melbourne. Although Mount Bromo and Melbourne are popular destinations, Melbourne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Melbourne is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Mount Bromo attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Mount Bromo is more touristy than Melbourne and is known for its sunrise views and scenic setting. Melbourne is famous for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also well known for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Mount Bromo different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Melbourne 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 Melbourne?

Melbourne is a great city for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. 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.

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 Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is a great city for nightlife. However, Mount Bromo is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Melbourne has something for everybody. 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.

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 Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a great city for its beaches. However, Mount Bromo is not a beach destination.

Melbourne is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Mount Bromo is not a beach destination.

Is Mount Bromo or Melbourne Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Mount Bromo. 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.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mount Bromo or Melbourne?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Melbourne. 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.

Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mount Bromo or Melbourne More Beautiful?

Mount Bromo is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Mount Bromo is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mount Bromo or Melbourne Better for Families?

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

Melbourne is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Mount Bromo is a family-friendly place to visit. 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!

Is Mount Bromo or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Mount Bromo is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Mount Bromo makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Melbourne is a good volcano for couples to visit. 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 Mount Bromo or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Mount Bromo and Melbourne are nice 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.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Mount Bromo or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Mount Bromo is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Melbourne. 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.

Mount Bromo is not popular with students.

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

Melbourne is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its public transit.

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

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 Melbourne a more walkable city?

Melbourne is a great city for its walkability. Also, Mount Bromo is not as popular, but is still a nice volcano for its high level of walkability.

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

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

For even more information, also check out Is Mount Bromo Worth Visiting? and Is Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Mount Bromo?

How long in Mount Bromo or Melbourne?

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

Families should spend more time in Melbourne than Mount Bromo. 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 Mount Bromo. 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 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 Melbourne.

One day in Mount Bromo or Melbourne?

You'll find around the volcano of Mount Bromo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mount Bromo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Melbourne is a progressive city where you can fill many days. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Mount Bromo or Melbourne?

You'll find around the scenic destination of Mount Bromo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this volcano has to offer. This volcano offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Melbourne is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Melbourne?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the spectacular volcano of Mount Bromo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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.

Melbourne is a cultural city where you can fill many days. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Mount Bromo or Melbourne?

Mount Bromo is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Melbourne. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Bromo and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Mount Bromo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mount Bromo 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 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 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 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 Melbourne Expensive?.