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

Should you visit Hat Yai or Kamakura?

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 Kamakura 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a ancient, quaint, and charming coastal city. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Hat Yai and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Kamakura?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kamakura than Hat Yai, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kamakura is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and hiking, while Hat Yai is more popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities. Kamakura is more touristy than Hat Yai and is known for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. Also, Kamakura is famous for the Great Buddha. Hat Yai is well known for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples.

How is Hat Yai different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kamakura is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Hat Yai is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

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

Hat Yai is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Hat Yai is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Kamakura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Is Hat Yai or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Kamakura has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Hat Yai. It's a big city, so there are plenty of clubs and bars where you can party late into the night.

Is Hat Yai or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for the beach. However, Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kamakura. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

Is Hat Yai or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Hat Yai does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura offers a nice historic old town area. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Hat Yai does not have a historic old town.

Is Hat Yai or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Kamakura?

Hat Yai is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Hat Yai is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Hat Yai or Kamakura Better for Families?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Kamakura is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

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 Kamakura Better for Couples?

Kamakura is notable for couples. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for romance.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

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 Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Kamakura is a good coastal city to visit for backpackers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

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

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

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

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 Kamakura a more walkable city?

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

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable coastal city. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

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 Kamakura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hat Yai or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Hat Yai than Kamakura because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hat Yai, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

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

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

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

One day in Hat Yai or Kamakura?

The city of Hat Yai offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Kamakura, you'll find nightlife and food. This coastal city 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 Hat Yai or Kamakura?

Hat Yai 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hat Yai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Kamakura, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kamakura has to offer.

Five days in Hat Yai or Kamakura?

Hat Yai is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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.

Kamakura is a great place to explore. 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 Kamakura?

Hat Yai is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 Kamakura. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kamakura. 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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Kamakura?

Hat Yai has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?

Kamakura 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 Kamakura in the Summer?

Both Kamakura 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, many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hat Yai is a little warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hat Yai in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Kamakura averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during summer. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Kamakura in the Autumn?

Both Kamakura 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Kamakura. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year. May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Kamakura in the winter. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during winter. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 175 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 Kamakura. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Kamakura in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Kamakura. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

In the spring, Hat Yai is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hat Yai in April average around 30°C (85°F), and Kamakura averages at about 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In the spring, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in April than Kamakura. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 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 Kamakura and Hat Yai