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

Should you visit Da Nang or Tauranga?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Tauranga? 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Tauranga

Tauranga is a laid back, relaxing, and nature-filled town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Da Nang and Tauranga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Tauranga?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Tauranga than Da Nang. While Da Nang is larger than Tauranga, Tauranga has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Tauranga is more popular for its beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Da Nang is known for its food, nightlife, and resorts. Tauranga is more touristy than Da Nang and is known for its sandy beaches and beautiful walking trails. It is also home to Mount Maunganui. Da Nang is popular for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Tauranga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tauranga 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 Tauranga?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Da Nang and Tauranga.

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 Tauranga. There are a number of historic buildings in town like the Elms Mission Station which dates back to 1847.

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

Da Nang is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Da Nang is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Tauranga. You'll find a great mix of restaurants in the town's downtown area. There are international flavors as well as seafood and other local favorites.

Is Da Nang or Tauranga Better for Nightlife?

Da Nang is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Da Nang offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Tauranga. The city is known for its laid back bar scene. There are venues with casual live music as well as pubs where locals and tourists intermingle.

Is Da Nang or Tauranga Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Tauranga is not a resort destination.

Da Nang is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Tauranga is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Tauranga Better for Beaches?

Tauranga is a well-known place for the beache. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

Tauranga is considered a top beach destination. Families and travelers head here for the sandy beaches and water activities. Surfing, kayaking, and fishing are all popular in the area. Some of the most popular beaches include Mount Maunganui Beach, Waihī Beach, and Anzac Bay.

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 Tauranga Better for Hiking?

Tauranga is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Tauranga is a popular spot for hiking. The Bay of Plenty is filled with hiking trails that run along the coast or head inland through the mountains. There are forest and bush walks that range in length and skill level and there really is something for everyone.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Tauranga?

Tauranga is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

Tauranga offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find all of the standard shopping malls, retail outlets, and clothing boutiques around town.

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 Tauranga Better for Families?

Tauranga 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, Tauranga is a very family-friendly destination. Check out the ropes courses at Adrenalin Forest or play in the water at Waimarino Adventure Park. There are also many different walking areas like McLaren Falls Park and Kaiate Falls. Kids will love hanging out at the beach around Mount Maunganui or Papamoa Beach. This is an affordable and kid-family destination for locals and international tourists alike.

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 Tauranga Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Da Nang and Tauranga make for a high quality 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.

Tauranga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a romantic destination with great beaches and beautiful waterfalls. You can enjoy a picnic in the park or dine at one of the local restaurants. Kayaking is also a popular activity in the area.

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

Tauranga 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 Tauranga. This is one of the more affordable destinations in New Zealand. There are also a number of backpacker-friendly jobs that make it a great place to base yourself.

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

Both Da Nang and Tauranga offer good public transit options.

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

Tauranga has some public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries in the area.

Is Da Nang or Tauranga a more walkable city?

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

Tauranga is a somewhat walkable place. There are many walking and cycling paths in the area, but you really need a car to explore the area in depth.

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 Tauranga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tauranga or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Tauranga?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tauranga 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 Tauranga.

One day in Da Nang or Tauranga?

The city of Da Nang offers nightlife and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Tauranga, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town 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 Tauranga?

Da Nang is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Da Nang, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Tauranga, you'll find food and shopping. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tauranga has to offer.

Five days in Da Nang or Tauranga?

Da Nang is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Tauranga is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Da Nang or Tauranga?

Da Nang is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tauranga. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Tauranga. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Tauranga?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Tauranga. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Tauranga, 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.