A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Picton for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hat Yai or Picton?

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 Picton 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Hat Yai travel costs.

Picton

Picton is a scenic, quaint, and relaxing town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking. See Picton travel costs.

Hat Yai and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Picton?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hat Yai. Although Hat Yai and Picton are popular destinations, Hat Yai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hat Yai is very popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Picton attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Picton is more touristy than Hat Yai and is known for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. Hat Yai is famous for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples. It is also well known for Wat Hat Yai Nai.

How is Hat Yai different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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

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

Eat your way through Hat Yai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Picton. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Hat Yai or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Hat Yai is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Hat Yai or Picton Better for Beaches?

Picton is notable for the beach. However, Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Picton attract visitors from all over. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

Is Hat Yai or Picton Better for Hiking?

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

Picton is a popular spot for hiking. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Picton?

Hat Yai is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Hat Yai or Picton Better for Families?

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

Picton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

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 Picton Better for Couples?

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

Picton is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

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 Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Picton is notable for backpackers. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Picton is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot 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 Picton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Picton 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.

Picton has a few public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

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 Picton a more walkable city?

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

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore 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 Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Picton?

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

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

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

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

One day in Hat Yai or Picton?

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 Picton, you'll find museums and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Hat Yai or Picton?

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 Picton, 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 Picton has to offer.

Five days in Hat Yai or Picton?

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.

Picton 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 Hat Yai or Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful 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 Picton. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Picton. 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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, 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 Hat Yai and Picton, we can see that Picton 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 Picton 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 Picton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Picton 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 Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Picton?

Hat Yai has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Picton, 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 Picton?

Picton 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 Picton in the Summer?

Both Picton 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 travelers come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Pictonin January. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton 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, many visitors come to Picton in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Hat Yai is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hat Yai in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Pictonin April. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year. May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Picton in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Picton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Pictonin July. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Picton receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Pictonin July. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Picton in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Picton. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches and the small town charm.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 30°C (85°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

Hat Yai usually gets less rain in April than Pictonin October. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 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 Picton and Hat Yai