A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hue vs. Byron Bay for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Hue or Byron Bay?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hue and Byron Bay 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.

Hue

Hue is a ancient, imperial, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a Bohemian, relaxed, and mellow town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Hue and Byron Bay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hue or Byron Bay?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Byron Bay. Although Hue and Byron Bay are both popular with visitors, Byron Bay has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Byron Bay is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Hue is known for its museums, food, and historical sights. Hue is popular for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital. Byron Bay is popular for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals. It is also home to Cape Byron Lighthouse.

How is Hue different from Byron Bay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hue or Byron Bay?

Hue is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Hue. It's an ancient city that is filled with many sights from its imperial past. The Imperial City in Hue is the city's most important attraction. Other sights include the Thai Hoa Palace, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Royal Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh.

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

Is the Food Better in Hue or Byron Bay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hue is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hue. Local dishes were once served to the city's emperors, but today you'll find them in restaurants and food stalls. Dishes are either sweet or spicy with lemongrass, basil, chilies, and mint herbs mixed in. Soups and grilled meats are popular such as bun bo hue and nem lui.

Byron Bay is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

Is Hue or Byron Bay Better for Nightlife?

Byron Bay is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Byron Bay offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Hue. For the best nightlife, many visitors head to the Western Area, particularly around the streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Chu Van An and Vo Thi Sau. Nguyen Dinh Chieu Walking Street is another popular area for nightlife in Hue.

Is Hue or Byron Bay Better for Resorts?

Byron Bay is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Hue is not a resort destination.

In Byron Bay, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

Hue is not a resort destination.

Is Hue or Byron Bay Better for Beaches?

Byron Bay is terrific for the beach. However, Hue is not a beach destination.

Byron Bay is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.

Hue is not a beach destination.

Is Hue or Byron Bay Better for its Old Town?

Hue is a well-known place for its old town. However, Byron Bay does not have a historic old town.

Hue is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. As the former imperial capital, you'll see many temples and historical sites in the city.

Byron Bay does not have a historic old town.

Is Hue or Byron Bay Better for Hiking?

Byron Bay is a town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Hue is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Byron Bay. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Hue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hue or Byron Bay?

Both Hue and Byron Bay are great shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hue. The city has many local markets where you can find traditional and authentic handicrafts. Some of the most interesting things to purchase at the markets include silk paintings, antiques, and lacquerware.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Byron Bay. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

Is Hue or Byron Bay Better for Families?

Both Hue and Byron Bay are good to visit with kids.

Hue is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the Imperial City, visiting Ho Quyen Arena and Long Chau Temple, or wandering through the city's local markets. The Demilitarized Zone is also an interesting side trip.

Byron Bay is a family-friendly city. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

Is Hue or Byron Bay Better for Couples?

Byron Bay is a well-known place for couples. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Byron Bay is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Hue is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy boat rides or sunset cruises along Perfume River. There are also interesting temples and fascinating day trips that you can take from the city.

Is Hue or Byron Bay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Hue and Byron Bay are great destinations for backpackers.

Hue is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It is a popular stop over in central Vietnam. There are plenty of hostels and budget guesthouses to accommodate the backpacker crowds. There are also cheap restaurants and interesting activities relating to the city's long history.

Byron Bay is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

Is Hue or Byron Bay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hue is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Hue has a few public transit options. Cyclos, motorbikes, and local bus are the most common ways to get around the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Hue or Byron Bay a more walkable city?

Hue is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Hue is a very walkable city. Many of the sights can be reached on foot and the city is relatively compact.

Byron Bay is a somewhat walkable city. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Hue Worth Visiting? and Is Byron Bay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Byron Bay or Hue?

How long in Hue or Byron Bay?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hue than Byron Bay 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 Hue.

One day in Hue or Byron Bay?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Hue. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hue has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With food and shopping around the carefree destination of Byron Bay, there's plenty to do. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Hue or Byron Bay?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the imperial destination of Hue. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many people visit Byron Bay for a weekend. With shopping and nightlife around the vegan-friendly town of Byron Bay, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Hue or Byron Bay?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the imperial city of Hue. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Byron Bay, there's plenty to do. Many people spend five days here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Hue or Byron Bay?

Hue is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Byron Bay, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for one week. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hue or Byron Bay?

Hue has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Byron Bay, 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 Hue or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hue experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hue or Byron Bay in the Summer?

Both Byron Bay and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

In July, Hue is generally a little warmer than Byron Bayin January. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 29°C (85°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. In July, Hue usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin January. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Hue is March to August. The rainy season in Hue is September to December.

Should I visit Hue or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Hue during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hue is a little warmer than Byron Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F)in April.

Byron Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually gets more rain in October than Byron Bayin April. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year. September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Hue or Byron Bay in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Byron Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Also, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Hue is much warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hue in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 14°C (58°F)in July.

Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hue usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin July. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. March to August in Hue is the dry season.

Should I visit Hue or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hue as well as Byron Bay. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Hue is generally a little warmer than Byron Bayin October. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 26°C (80°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

Hue usually gets less rain in April than Byron Bayin October. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Hue