A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Da Nang vs. Arrowtown for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Da Nang or Arrowtown?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Arrowtown? 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.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a accessible, authentic, and coastal city. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and museums. See Da Nang travel costs.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a historic, charming, and quaint town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing. See Arrowtown travel costs.

Da Nang and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Arrowtown?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arrowtown. Although Da Nang and Arrowtown are popular destinations, Arrowtown has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arrowtown is very popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Da Nang attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Arrowtown is more touristy than Da Nang and is popular for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes. It is also well known for the Chinese Settlement. Da Nang is famous for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Da Nang is not a skiing destination.

People head to Arrowtown specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Da Nang is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Da Nang or Arrowtown?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Da Nang and Arrowtown.

Da Nang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Arrowtown. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Da Nang or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Da Nang and Arrowtown.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Da Nang. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

Arrowtown has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Da Nang has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Arrowtown has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arrowtown is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Da Nang. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Arrowtown is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for Beaches?

Da Nang is very good for its beaches. However, Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Da Nang to enjoy the beach. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

Arrowtown is a well-known place for its old town. However, Da Nang does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Arrowtown. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Da Nang does not have a historic old town.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is terrific for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

People visit Arrowtown specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Arrowtown?

Arrowtown is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

Arrowtown is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Da Nang has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Da Nang or Arrowtown.

Da Nang is a very kid-friendly city. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Arrowtown. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Da Nang and Arrowtown make for a great place to visit.

Da Nang is a very popular place to visit for couples. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Arrowtown makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arrowtown is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Arrowtown is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Da Nang is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Da Nang and Arrowtown offer nice public transit options.

Da Nang has a few public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

Arrowtown has some public transit options. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Da Nang or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Arrowtown is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

Da Nang is not a very walkable city. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Da Nang Worth Visiting? and Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Arrowtown?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Arrowtown than Da Nang. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arrowtown that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arrowtown than Da Nang 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 Arrowtown.

One day in Da Nang or Arrowtown?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Da Nang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Da Nang has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Arrowtown is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Da Nang or Arrowtown?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the accessible destination of Da Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown has to offer.

Five days in Da Nang or Arrowtown?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal city of Da Nang. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arrowtown is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Da Nang or Arrowtown?

Da Nang is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arrowtown. Since Arrowtown is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Arrowtown?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Arrowtown, 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.