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

Should you visit Da Nang or Te Anau?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Te Anau? 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 authentic, coastal, and accessible city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and museums.

Te Anau

Te Anau is a breathtaking, stunning, and pristine town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food and hiking.

Da Nang and Te Anau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Te Anau?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Te Anau than Da Nang, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Te Anau is better known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Da Nang is more popular for its museums & sights, nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Te Anau is more touristy than Da Nang and is popular for being the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Also, Te Anau is famous for Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Da Nang is well known for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Te Anau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Da Nang is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

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 Da Nang or Te Anau? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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).

Te Anau has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Da Nang or Te Anau Better for Nightlife?

Da Nang is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

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.

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 Da Nang or Te Anau Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Te Anau is not a resort destination.

In Da Nang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Te Anau is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Te Anau Better for Beaches?

Da Nang is a city with good options for the beache. However, Te Anau is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Da Nang. 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.

Te Anau is not a beach destination.

Is Da Nang or Te Anau Better for Hiking?

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

People visit Te Anau specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Te Anau?

Both Da Nang and Te Anau are respectable shopping destinations.

If you're looking to go shopping, Da Nang has some nice offerings. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

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 Da Nang or Te Anau Better for Families?

Te Anau 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, Te Anau is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

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 Te Anau Better for Couples?

Te Anau is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Te Anau makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Da Nang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Is Da Nang or Te Anau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Te Anau 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.

Te Anau is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

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

Da Nang is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

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 Da Nang or Te Anau a more walkable city?

Te Anau is a moderate town for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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.

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 Te Anau Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Te Anau or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Te Anau?

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

Families should spend more time in Te Anau than Da Nang. 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.

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

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

One day in Da Nang or Te Anau?

In Da Nang, you'll find museums and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Da Nang or Te Anau?

In Da Nang, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Da Nang 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 Da Nang or Te Anau?

Da Nang is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Da Nang or Te Anau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Da Nang. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Da Nang. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Te Anau, we can see that Te Anau 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 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 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 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 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 Te Anau Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Te Anau?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 360 times larger than the population of Te Anau. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang 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.