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

Should you visit Hat Yai or Tokyo?

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 Tokyo 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 festive, colorful, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a high energy, vibrant, and iconic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food.

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Tokyo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tokyo than Hat Yai. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Tokyo is more touristy than Hat Yai and is popular for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also well known for The Sensō-ji Temple. Hat Yai is famous for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples.

How is Hat Yai different from Tokyo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tokyo is a must-visit destination 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 many recognizable landmarks that put Tokyo on the map. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

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 Tokyo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Hat Yai and Tokyo offer a number of terrific restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Hat Yai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Eat your way through Tokyo, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.

Is Hat Yai or Tokyo Better for Nightlife?

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Tokyo is a world class party destination. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

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 Tokyo Better for Music?

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Hat Yai is not a live music destination.

In Tokyo you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.

Hat Yai is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Tokyo?

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Tokyo is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Hat Yai or Tokyo Better for Families?

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Tokyo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.

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 Tokyo Better for Couples?

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

Tokyo is a very popular place to visit for couples. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.

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 Tokyo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Tokyo is a good city to visit for backpackers. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.

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 Tokyo Better for Students?

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for students. However, Hat Yai is not popular with students.

Tokyo is a very popular city for students. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.

Hat Yai is not popular with students.

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

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Tokyo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.

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 Tokyo a more walkable city?

Tokyo is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Tokyo on foot. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

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 Tokyo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tokyo or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Tokyo?

Both Hat Yai and Tokyo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than in Hat Yai. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hat Yai, and 3-7 days is enough time in Tokyo.

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

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

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

One day in Hat Yai or Tokyo?

In Hat Yai, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this lively destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city 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 Tokyo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hat Yai. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Hat Yai or Tokyo?

Hat Yai is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Hat Yai. Lots of people come for the food. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Tokyo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tokyo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Hat Yai or Tokyo?

You'll find food and shopping around the festive destination of Hat Yai. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. Because Tokyo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Tokyo, 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 Tokyo?

Tokyo 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 Tokyo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Tokyo. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Tokyo in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hat Yai is a little warmer than Tokyo in the summer. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Tokyo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In the summer, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in July than Tokyo. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Tokyo in the Autumn?

Both Tokyo and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Hat Yai is much warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hat Yai in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Tokyo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during autumn. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In October, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Tokyo in the Winter?

Both Tokyo and Hat Yai during the winter 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 winter months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Hat Yai. In the winter, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in January than Tokyo. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Hat Yai.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Tokyo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Tokyo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Tokyo in the spring. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 30°C (85°F) in April, and Tokyo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during spring. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Typical Weather for Tokyo and Hat Yai