A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hoi An vs. Nagoya for Food, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Hoi An or Nagoya?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Nagoya. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a beautiful, traditional, and quaint town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a under-the-radar, under-rated, and often overlooked city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Hoi An and Nagoya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hoi An or Nagoya?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nagoya than Hoi An, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nagoya is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Hoi An is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Hoi An is more touristy than Nagoya and is known for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. Nagoya is well known for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry. Also, Nagoya is famous for the Nagoya Castle.

How is Hoi An different from Nagoya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hoi An or Nagoya?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Hoi An or Nagoya.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Hoi An. The old town is like a living museum. It's pedestrian-friendly and filled with beautiful yellow buildings. Highlights of the town include the Phung Hung House, Fukian Assembly Hall, and the Hoi An Museum.

Nagoya offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are shrines, temples, and other interesting sights in the city. Atsuta Jingu is an important Shinto shrine. Nagoya Castle is another interesting place to visit. If you're willing to head out of the city center a bit, the Meiji-mura Village Museum is an open air museum that has interesting Japanese architecture. There are also interesting museums in town such as the Nagoya City Art Museums and the Toyota Techno and Toyota Automobile Museums.

Is the Food Better in Hoi An or Nagoya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hoi An and Nagoya.

Eat your way through Hoi An, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The local cuisine is truly unique from the rest of Vietnam. It's considered to be a culinary city with interesting recipes that depend on local ingredients that can't be found outside of the region. Specialty dishes of the city include Cao Lầu (pork and rice noodles), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and Cơm Gà Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice).

For foodies, Nagoya is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a strong food culture that's referred to as Nagoya meshi. It's a popular destination for foodies to Japan, even though the city itself is often overlooked by tourists. The city's food uses a lot of local vegetables and its influenced by several international flavors. Important ingredients in the dishes include unagi (freshwater eel), Nagoya cochin (chicken), tamari (soy sauce), and mame miso.

Is Hoi An or Nagoya Better for Nightlife?

Nagoya is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. However, Hoi An is lacking in options for nightlife and partying.

Nagoya has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There are many bars around town, many of which have an international theme. Later in the evening, many people head out to a nightclubs, most of which are concentrated in either Sakae and Shin-sakae.

Hoi An is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's definitely not your typical backpacker party town, and the city is quietly beautiful in the evening. Many of the bars in the old town close before midnight, but there are some places outside of the area if you're looking for something more lively.

Is Hoi An or Nagoya Better for Beaches?

Hoi An is a popular place for the beach. However, Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Hoi An is a good option for a beach vacation. There is a long stretch of sandy beach in the area, that can be broken into five different sections. Some areas are privately owned, but there is still plenty of public beach to choose from. An Bang Beach is the most developed and popular beach in the area. Coconut Beach is the most luxurious, and Ha My Beach is similar to An Bang, but smaller.

Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Is Hoi An or Nagoya Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Nagoya does not have a historic old town.

Hoi An has a world-famous historical area. The charming old town is recognizable for its striking yellow color and its many tailor shops. It feels like a living museum, and the evening hours are particularly special with the town's lanterns lighting the way.

Nagoya does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hoi An or Nagoya?

Hoi An is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Hoi An specifically to go shopping. It is considered to be one of the best and most affordable cities in the world for tailor made clothing. Pop in a shop and have your measurements made. You can pick out a design and in a day or two return for your custom made outfit. It's a truly unique shopping experience.

Nagoya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find everything from large shopping malls to street markets and local vendors. Many people head to Nagoya Station for shopping, but Osu Shotengai is another interesting shopping area in the city's old town.

Is Hoi An or Nagoya Better for Families?

Nagoya is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hoi An is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Nagoya is very family-friendly. There are a large number of attractions for families in the area. This city is where you'll find Legoland Japan, which is one of the most popular activities to do with kids. The city also has the Sea Life Aquarium, which is located in the Legoland Hotel. Next to Legoland you'll find the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Another great activity is a visit to the Nagoya Public Aquarium, which is one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. There are dolphins, orcas, and many different ecosystems to explore. Nearby is the Sea Train Land amusement park.

Hoi An is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will appreciate the thrill of a visit to Ba Na Hills, which is a theme park with roller coasters, zip lines, and more. Near the city you'll also find ancient ruins, outdoor activities, hands-on classes, and, of course, the impressive old town.

Is Hoi An or Nagoya Better for Couples?

Hoi An is a very popular place for couples. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Hoi An makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This charming city has a lot of character and some of Vietnam's best restaurants. The city is also known for its tailor made clothes, so make sure you do some shopping while you're in town.

Nagoya is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting the Nagoya Castle or checking out the dolphin and orca shows at the Nagoya Public Aquarium. Noritake Garden is a nice place to explore. There are also many coffee shops in town as well as museums and temples.

Is Hoi An or Nagoya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hoi An is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Hoi An, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. It's solidly on the backpacker trail, and you'll find many visitors who come for the beautiful culture and fascinating setting.

Nagoya is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a limited number of hostels in town, so they fill up quickly. You should make reservations well in advance if budget is a priority.

Is Hoi An or Nagoya Better for Students?

Nagoya is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Hoi An is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Nagoya. Nagoya University has been working to grow its international population. This is a fun and dynamic city that makes a great place to study.

Hoi An is not popular with students.

Is Hoi An or Nagoya Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nagoya is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Hoi An is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Nagoya is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has both a subway and public buses. The main bus stations are at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station and there are six subway lines throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Hoi An, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.

Is Hoi An or Nagoya a more walkable city?

Hoi An is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Hoi An. There are "walking hours" when motorized vehicles aren't allowed in the old town, and this is a particularly good time to explore on foot.

Nagoya is very walkable. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Hoi An Worth Visiting? and Is Nagoya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagoya or Hoi An?

How long in Hoi An or Nagoya?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hoi An and Nagoya. In our opinion, Hoi An has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hoi An than Nagoya. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Hoi An than Nagoya. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hoi An that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hoi An than Nagoya 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 Hoi An.

One day in Hoi An or Nagoya?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Hoi An. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Nagoya is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hoi An or Nagoya?

Hoi An is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nagoya 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.

Five days in Hoi An or Nagoya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hoi An. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagoya. 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.

A week in Hoi An or Nagoya?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Hoi An. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated big city of Nagoya. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam, The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Nagoya?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An and Nagoya, 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 Hoi An or Nagoya?

Nagoya has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hoi An experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hoi An or Nagoya in the Summer?

Both Nagoya and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Nagoya for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hoi An is generally around the same temperature as Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 29°C (85°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during summer. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 170 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. In July, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January.

Should I visit Hoi An or Nagoya in the Autumn?

Both Nagoya and Hoi An during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nagoya in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Hoi An is a little warmer than Nagoya in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Nagoya fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Nagoya. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 176 hours of full sun.

Nagoya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets more rain in October than Nagoya. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hoi An or Nagoya in the Winter?

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

Nagoya can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hoi An is much warmer than Nagoya. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hoi An in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Nagoya averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Nagoya during winter. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.

Hoi An gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Nagoya. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An.

Should I visit Hoi An or Nagoya in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Nagoya. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Nagoya because of the activities around the city.

In April, Hoi An is generally much warmer than Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 26°C (80°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hoi An this time of the year. In the spring, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagoya. Hoi An usually gets less rain in April than Nagoya. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nagoya and Hoi An