A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hue vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Hue or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua 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 imperial, cultural, and authentic city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a diverse, cultural, and natural town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Hue and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hue or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hue than Rotorua. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Hue is very popular for its historical sights and shopping, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Hue is famous for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital. It is also well known for Imperial City. Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Hue different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Hue or Rotorua.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hue and Rotorua.

Dining out in Hue is an experience not to be missed. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Rotorua. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Hue or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Both Hue and Rotorua are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rotorua. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Hue or Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Hue or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Hue is not a hiking destination.

Rotorua is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Hue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hue or Rotorua?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Hue or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Hue is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Hue or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is terrific for couples. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Rotorua is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is terrific for backpackers. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Rotorua is a very popular town to visit for backpackers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Hue is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

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

Both Hue and Rotorua offer nice public transit options.

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

Rotorua has some public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Hue or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Hue?

How long in Hue or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hue and Rotorua. In our opinion, Rotorua has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rotorua than Hue. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hue, and 2-3 days is enough time in Rotorua.

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

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

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

One day in Hue or Rotorua?

In Hue, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

With nightlife and food around the world-renowned destination of Rotorua, there's plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Rotorua?

In Hue, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hue has to offer.

Many people visit Rotorua for a weekend. With food and shopping around the natural town of Rotorua, there's plenty to do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Hue or Rotorua?

Hue is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

The destination of Rotorua offers shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Five days 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.

A week in Hue or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hue. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hue. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Hue or Rotorua?

Hue has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?

Both Rotorua and Hue during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

Hue is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

Hue usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the dry season in Hue. September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Hue or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Hue is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hue in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hue usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Hue or Rotorua in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hue as well as Rotorua. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Rotorua in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Hue is generally cooler than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 22°C (71°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Hue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hue usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season.

Should I visit Hue or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.

Hue is a little warmer than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

In April, Hue usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rotoruain October. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Hue