A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Da Nang vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Surfers Paradise? 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 coastal, accessible, and authentic city. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and museums.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a active, ritzy, and glamourous city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Da Nang and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Da Nang and Surfers Paradise are both popular with visitors, Surfers Paradise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Da Nang and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also home to the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Da Nang is popular for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Surfers Paradise is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Surfers Paradise offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Da Nang. 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.

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

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

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).

Surfers Paradise has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

Is Da Nang or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Surfers Paradise is a must-see party destination. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

Da Nang has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Da Nang or Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for its resorts. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Surfers Paradise is a great choice. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

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.

Is Da Nang or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Da Nang is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Da Nang is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Da Nang or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for the beache. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Surfers Paradise. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

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.

Is Da Nang or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Surfers Paradise is a good destination for hiking. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Surfers Paradise make it a world-class shopping destination. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Surfers Paradise is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Da Nang. 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.

Is Da Nang or Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Da Nang and Surfers Paradise make for a very good 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.

Surfers Paradise makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

Is Da Nang or Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is terrific for backpackers. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Surfers Paradise. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Da Nang and Surfers Paradise offer good public transit options.

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

Surfers Paradise has some public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Da Nang or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

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

Surfers Paradise is a somewhat walkable place. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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 Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

Both Da Nang and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Da Nang. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Da Nang, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Da Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Surfers Paradise, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal city of Da Nang. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Surfers Paradise, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

Da Nang is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Surfers Paradise is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Surfers Paradise has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

Da Nang is a great place to explore. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surfers Paradise. In Surfers Paradise, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Surfers Paradise, 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 Da Nang or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Da Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Da Nang or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise and Da Nang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Da Nang is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Da Nang in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Da Nang. In the summer, Da Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein January. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Da Nang usually gets less rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year. January to July is the dry season in Da Nang. August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Da Nang and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Da Nang is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 25°C (78°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Da Nang usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Da Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Da Nang as well as Surfers Paradise. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Da Nang is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In the winter, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein July. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.

Da Nang receives a lot of rain in the winter. Da Nang usually gets more rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to July in Da Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In the spring, Da Nang is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Da Nang in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during spring. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In April, Da Nang usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Da Nang