A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Sendai for Beaches, Couples, Families, and Food

Should you visit Similan Islands or Sendai?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Sendai 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.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a spectacular, idyllic, and remote island chain. Similan Islands is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Sendai

Sendai is a lively, high energy, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Sendai travel costs.

Similan Islands and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Sendai?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sendai than Similan Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sendai is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Similan Islands is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Sendai is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Also, Sendai is famous for the statue of Lord Masamune. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Sendai?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Similan Islands and Sendai can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Similan Islands has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

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 Similan Islands or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Sendai has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Sendai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Similan Islands specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Sendai Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in Similan Islands are among the best in the world. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

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 Similan Islands or Sendai Better for Hiking?

Similan Islands is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Similan Islands has hiking trails worth exploring. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Sendai?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Sendai is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Sendai More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Similan Islands is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Similan Islands or Sendai Better for Families?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sendai is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Similan Islands. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Is Similan Islands or Sendai Better for Couples?

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

Similan Islands has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Sendai is a good island chain 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 Similan Islands or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sendai is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

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.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

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

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Sendai can get you to some places easily. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Is Similan Islands or Sendai a more walkable city?

Sendai is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Sendai?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Similan Islands and Sendai. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Similan Islands than in Sendai. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sendai.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sendai than Similan Islands 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 Sendai.

One day in Similan Islands or Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Similan Islands. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The high energy destination of Sendai offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Sendai?

Similan Islands 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.

The city of Sendai offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Sendai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Similan Islands. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Sendai is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the remote destination of Similan Islands. This island chain offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sendai. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Sendai?

Sendai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sendai in the Summer?

Both Sendai and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Similan Islands is a little warmer than Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Sendai. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sendai in the Autumn?

Both Sendai and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sendai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sendai. In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sendai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Sendai. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Sendai. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Similan Islands