A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Darwin for Food, Families, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Hat Yai or Darwin?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Darwin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a colorful, cultural, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Darwin

Darwin is a tropical, multicultural, and authentic town. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Hat Yai and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Darwin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hat Yai than Darwin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Hat Yai is more popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Darwin is known for its beaches and hiking. Darwin is more touristy than Hat Yai and is known for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. Hat Yai is popular for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples. It is also home to Wat Hat Yai Nai.

How is Hat Yai different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hat Yai or Darwin?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Hat Yai or Darwin.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hat Yai. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

Darwin is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

Is the Food Better in Hat Yai or Darwin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hat Yai is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Hat Yai is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Eating is really what you do in this city. There is amazing street food, impressive floating restaurants, and authentic cuisine that locals and visitors alike enjoy. The dishes include lots of seafood and some Chinese influences.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Hat Yai or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Hat Yai and Darwin.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hat Yai. It's a big city, so there are plenty of clubs and bars where you can party late into the night.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Hat Yai or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a town with good options for the beach. However, Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

Is Hat Yai or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Darwin is a popular spot for hiking. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Darwin?

Hat Yai is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Hat Yai is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's a large commercial hub in southern Thailand and many visitors come specifically for the shopping. There are many markets in town and places to buy everything from local products to trendy clothes.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Hat Yai or Darwin Better for Families?

Darwin is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Darwin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

Hat Yai is not always a place people visit with their families. There are some play places for the kids and kid-friendly meals are available in many places. There are also some animal farms and parks near town where kids and adults can enjoy a natural setting.

Is Hat Yai or Darwin Better for Couples?

Darwin is a town with good options for couples. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for romance.

Darwin is a good town for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Hat Yai is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Most people pass through the city on their way to other places, but if you chose to linger you'll enjoy amazing food and some interesting activities around town.

Is Hat Yai or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Darwin is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Darwin is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Hat Yai is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are hostels in the city, as well as cheap hotels, but the backpacker vibe isn't the same as what you get in other Thai cities. If you want more authenticity, then this is your place.

Is Hat Yai or Darwin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Darwin is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Darwin has a few public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hat Yai. The easiest and cheapest way to get around is by tuk tuk or motorbike taxi.

Is Hat Yai or Darwin a more walkable city?

Darwin is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its walkability.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable town. There are biking and walking paths around town.

Hat Yai is generally not a very walkable city. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Hat Yai Worth Visiting? and Is Darwin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hat Yai and Darwin. In our opinion, Darwin has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Darwin than Hat Yai. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hat Yai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Darwin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Darwin than Hat Yai 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 Darwin.

One day in Hat Yai or Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Hat Yai. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Darwin, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Hat Yai or Darwin?

Hat Yai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Darwin, 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 Darwin has to offer.

Five days in Hat Yai or Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hat Yai. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Darwin 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 Hat Yai or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the festive destination of Hat Yai. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Darwin. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Darwin. 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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Darwin?

Hat Yai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Darwin, 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 Hat Yai or Darwin?

Darwin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hat Yai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Darwin in the Summer?

Both Darwin and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin January. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 29°C (83°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Darwin during summer. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin and Hat Yai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Darwin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Hat Yai often gets less sunshine than Darwinin April. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Darwinin April. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year. May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Darwin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hat Yai in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin averages at about 25°C (77°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during winter. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun in the winter.

Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter. January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Darwin. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin October. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 30°C (85°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In the spring, Hat Yai often gets less sunshine than Darwinin October. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun.

Hat Yai usually gets less rain in April than Darwinin October. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. May to December in Hat Yai is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Hat Yai