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

Should you visit Hat Yai or Nara?

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 Nara 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. See Hat Yai travel costs.

Nara

Nara is a historic, cultural, and traditional city. Nara offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Nara travel costs.

Hat Yai and Nara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Nara?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Hat Yai than Nara. While Nara is larger than Hat Yai, Hat Yai has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Hat Yai is more popular for its food and big city activities, while Nara is known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Nara is more touristy than Hat Yai and is known for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer. 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 Nara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nara 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 Nara. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

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 Nara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hat Yai is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good 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.

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Hat Yai or Nara Better for Nightlife?

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

Nara has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

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 Nara Better for its Old Town?

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

Nara offers a nice historic old town area. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Hat Yai does not have a historic old town.

Is Hat Yai or Nara Better for Hiking?

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

Nara is a popular spot for hiking. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Nara?

Both Hat Yai and Nara are excellent shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hat Yai. 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 Nara. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

Is Hat Yai or Nara More Beautiful?

Nara is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Hat Yai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Nara offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The city is filled with green space, parks, and natural areas. You'll find deer roaming freely and tranquil lawns where you can relax.

Hat Yai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hat Yai or Nara Better for Families?

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

Nara is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

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 Nara Better for Couples?

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

Nara is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

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 Nara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Nara is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

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

Nara is notable for its public transit. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Nara. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

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 Nara a more walkable city?

Nara is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its walkability.

Nara is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring 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 Nara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nara or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Nara?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hat Yai or Nara to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Hat Yai than Nara 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 Nara.

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

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

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

One day in Hat Yai or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Hat Yai. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Nara, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

A weekend in Hat Yai or Nara?

Hat Yai is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Nara, 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 Nara has to offer.

Five days in Hat Yai or Nara?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful destination of Hat Yai. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nara 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 Nara?

The cultural city of Hat Yai offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nara. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nara. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Nara?

Nara has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Nara, 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 Nara?

Nara 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 Nara in the Summer?

Both Nara 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 Nara in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Nara. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 29°C (83°F), and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Nara during summer. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Nara. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Nara in the Autumn?

Both Nara 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, most visitors come to Nara for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Nara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Nara fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Nara. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun.

Nara 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 Nara. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year. May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Nara in the Winter?

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

The weather in Nara can be very cold. In the winter, Hat Yai is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hat Yai in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Nara during winter. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 140 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 Nara. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Nara in the Spring?

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

In April, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 30°C (85°F), and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°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 Nara. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nara. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in April than Nara. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 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 Nara and Hat Yai