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

Should you visit Sendai or Sydney?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Sydney, 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.

Sendai

Sendai is a high energy, vibrant, and cosmopolitan city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Sendai travel costs.

Sydney

Sydney is a glamorous , diverse, and energetic 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. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sydney travel costs.

Sendai and Sydney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sendai or Sydney?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney than Sendai, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. 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 Sendai different from Sydney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sydney is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Sydney are world-renowned. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sendai. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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

Sydney is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Sydney has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Sendai or Sydney Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Sydney is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

The people in Sendai know how to have a good time. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

Is Sendai or Sydney Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sendai or Sydney Better for Beaches?

Sydney is renowned for the beach. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

The beaches in Sydney are among the best in the world. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sendai. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Is Sendai or Sydney Better for Hiking?

Sydney is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sendai or Sydney?

Sydney is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Sydney draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Sendai. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Is Sendai or Sydney More Beautiful?

Sydney is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Sydney is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. 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.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sendai or Sydney Better for Families?

Sydney is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Sydney is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

Sendai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Is Sendai or Sydney Better for Couples?

Sydney is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Sydney has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Sendai is a good city for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Sendai or Sydney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Sydney is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

Is Sendai or Sydney Better for Students?

Sydney is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Sendai is not popular with students.

Sydney is a great destination 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.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

Sydney is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Sydney has a great public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Sendai offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Is Sendai or Sydney a more walkable city?

Sendai and Sydney are superb when it comes to walkability.

Sendai is a very walkable city. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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 Sendai Worth Visiting? and Is Sydney Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sydney or Sendai?

How long in Sendai or Sydney?

Both Sendai 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 Sendai. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sendai, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sydney.

Families should spend more time in Sydney than Sendai. 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 Sendai. 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 Sendai 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 Sendai or Sydney?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sendai. 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 Sendai or Sydney?

Sendai 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 Sendai or Sydney?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sendai. 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 Sendai or Sydney?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the lively destination of Sendai. This city 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Sydney, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Sendai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sendai 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 Sendai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sendai 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 Sendai.

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

Which is Bigger, Sendai or Sydney?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Sendai 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 Sendai 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 Sendai has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sendai or Sydney in the Summer?

Both Sydney and Sendai during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

In the summer, Sendai is around the same temperature as Sydney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sendai in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Sydney averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin January. Sendai gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 236 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 Sendai. Sendai usually gets more rain in July than Sydneyin January. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Sydney in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Sydney. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sendai is generally cooler than Sydneyin April. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 15°C (59°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during autumn. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sendai usually receives less rain than Sydneyin April. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sendai or Sydney in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Sydney. Many travelers come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Sydney in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sendai. Sendai is much colder than Sydney in the winter. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. In the winter, Sendai often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin July. Sendai gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun.

Sendai usually gets less rain in January than Sydneyin July. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sendai or Sydney in the Spring?

Both Sydney and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sendai in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Sendai is much colder than Sydney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sendai in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Sydney averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Sydney. Sendai usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during spring. Sendai gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sendai usually receives more rain than Sydneyin October. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sydney and Sendai