A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Can Tho vs. Te Anau for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Can Tho or Te Anau?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Te Anau can help you decide which place is right for you.

Can Tho

Can Tho is a cultural, unique, and fascinating city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Te Anau

Te Anau is a breathtaking, stunning, and pristine town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food and hiking.

Can Tho and Te Anau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Can Tho or Te Anau?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Can Tho than Te Anau, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Can Tho is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Te Anau is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Can Tho is well known for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. Also, Can Tho is famous for Cai Rang Floating Market. Te Anau is well known for being the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

How is Can Tho different from Te Anau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Can Tho or Te Anau?

Can Tho is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Can Tho. The main attraction nearby is Cai Rang Floating Market, but visitors also enjoy seeing Binh Thuy Ancient House, the Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory, Ong pagoda, and Nam Nha Pagoda.

Te Anau offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The town is about the surrounding outdoor activities but you will find the Te Anau Vintage Machinery Museum and the Te Anau Trout Observatory in town.

Is the Food Better in Can Tho or Te Anau? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Can Tho and Te Anau offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Can Tho has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and there are many restaurants with rooftop views and lively atmospheres. The food is local and fresh. Grilled meats, noodle soup, and local produce are all popular. Many visitors come to Cantho specifically to experience the nearby floating markets. You really must sample the many dishes available at the markets, which are unique to the area and offer a whole new approach to street food.

Dining out in Te Anau is an experience not to be missed. The town makes a great spot to refuel after all of your hiking and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cafes and food trucks around town where you can enjoy local dishes and a friendly atmosphere.

Is Can Tho or Te Anau Better for Nightlife?

Can Tho is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Can Tho. The city is very beautiful at night with many colorful lights. There are a number of bars and places for tourists to hang out and socialize.

Te Anau is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. This is a small town that's focused on outdoor activities, but it does receive a number of tourists, so you'll find a few bars around town where you can hang out.

Is Can Tho or Te Anau Better for Hiking?

Te Anau is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Te Anau specifically for its hiking. The town serves as basecamp for Fiordland National Park so there are many amazing hikes and walks in the area. Many of the hikes begin at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and range in length and the required skill level.

Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Can Tho or Te Anau?

Can Tho is renowned for its shopping opportunities. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Can Tho draws large crowds to its stores. The city is large with malls and a central market, but most visitors come specifically for the nearby floating markets. These unique markets are best visited by boat. Goods and food are sold out of vendor boats and popular food dishes include noodle soup and local fruits. Each boat has a tall bamboo stick displaying the items that it sells.

Te Anau has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shops where you can pick up any outdoor supplies and food items that you may need.

Is Can Tho or Te Anau Better for Families?

Te Anau is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Te Anau is one of the most popular family destinations. The town's proximity to the Milford Sound make it a nice base for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Kayaking or exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are favorite activities in the area. There's also the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and many hikes nearby.

Can Tho is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the floating markets and the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most visitors use this growing city as a base for exploring the area, which has a fascinating culture and interesting sights.

Is Can Tho or Te Anau Better for Couples?

Te Anau is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Te Anau has plenty to offer. The stunning scenery in the area, combined with small town charm, make this is a top couple's destination and a wonderful honeymoon spot. Couples who appreciate nature and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this amazing area.

Can Tho is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can take a romantic evening boat ride on the Mekong Delta. During the morning hours, the floating markets are one of Vietnam's most interesting destinations. You can sample local dishes and experience a completely different way of life.

Is Can Tho or Te Anau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Can Tho and Te Anau are superb places to visit.

Many backpackers visit Can Tho. This is a large city with a number of hostels and many backpackers who pass through during their trip to the floating markets and through the Mekong Delta.

Te Anau is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. For such a small town, there are a decent number of hostels and budget accommodation options in the area. The town makes a good base for exploring the region's stunning scenery.

Is Can Tho or Te Anau Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Can Tho is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Can Tho. There are local buses, but many visitors come to this area as part of an organized tour because transportation can be a bit a tricky.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Te Anau. Public transit in the area is limited and most visitors have their own car or join one of the many tours in the area.

Is Can Tho or Te Anau a more walkable city?

Can Tho is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Can Tho is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is relatively walkable.

Te Anau is generally not very walkable. Exploring the area requires a vehicle and, while there are many hikes in the area, it's not easy to walk to many places. There are tours available for those that don't have a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Can Tho Worth Visiting? and Is Te Anau Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Te Anau or Can Tho?

How long in Can Tho or Te Anau?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Can Tho and Te Anau. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Te Anau than in Can Tho. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Can Tho, and 1-3 days is enough time in Te Anau.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Can Tho than Te Anau 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 Can Tho.

One day in Can Tho or Te Anau?

In Can Tho, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Te Anau is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Can Tho or Te Anau?

In Can Tho, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Can Tho has to offer.

Te Anau might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Te Anau has to offer.

Five days in Can Tho or Te Anau?

Can Tho is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Te Anau is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Can Tho or Te Anau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Can Tho. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Can Tho. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Te Anau. Since Te Anau is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Vietnam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Te Anau?

Can Tho has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Te Anau. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Te Anau, 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.