A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hue vs. Taupo for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Hue or Taupo?

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 Taupo 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 cultural, authentic, and ancient city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Taupo

Taupo is a otherworldly, striking, and stunning town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include skiing, nightlife, and food.

Hue and Taupo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hue or Taupo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Taupo. Although Hue and Taupo are both popular with visitors, Taupo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Taupo is more popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Hue is known for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Hue is popular for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital. Taupo is popular for its thermal hot springs, dramatic landscapes, and world class hikes. It is also home to the Craters of the Moon reserve.

How is Hue different from Taupo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Hue or Taupo Better for Skiing?

Taupo is terrific for snow skiing. However, Hue is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Taupo. Nearby Mount Ruapehu offers access to the longest running ski season in both Australia and New Zealand. From June until October you can enjoy the largest commercial ski areas around. There are options for everyone from young beginners to experts. The two main ski resorts in the area are Whakapapa Ski Area and Tūroa Ski Area.

Hue is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hue or Taupo?

Hue is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Taupo is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Hue offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Taupo. Stunning natural beauty and adventure-filled activities are what Taupo is all about, but you won't find much in the form of museums.

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

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

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 Taupo. The town is filled with local restaurants that make use of local ingredients such as fresh caught trout, local produce, and wild game. The town also has many farmers markets and a strong cafe culture.

Is Hue or Taupo Better for Nightlife?

Both Hue and Taupo are good 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 Taupo. It's a small resort town that is active during the day and night. There are low key activities in the evening like soaking in the thermal hot pools or grabbing a drink at a bar.

Is Hue or Taupo Better for its Old Town?

Hue is a great destination for its old town. However, Taupo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Hue. As the former imperial capital, you'll see many temples and historical sites in the city.

Taupo does not have a historic old town.

Is Hue or Taupo Better for Hiking?

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

Taupo is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful hikes that take you through the natural beauty. During the fall season you can enjoy the fall foliage and during the summer months the wildlife and waterfront setting is at a peak.

Hue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hue or Taupo?

Hue is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Hue is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Taupo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The lakefront town has a nice, pedestrian-friendly stretch with boutique shops, fashion outlets, and souvenir vendors.

Is Hue or Taupo Better for Families?

Taupo 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.

Taupo is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Set on the edge of Lake Taupo, there are many family-friendly activities in the area like swimming, boating, and hiking. There are also thermal hot springs and in the winter months skiing. Families who enjoy outdoor adventures will find no shortage of options year round.

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 Taupo Better for Couples?

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

Taupo is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Honeymooners and couples who enjoy romantic scenery, beautiful sunsets, and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this area. You can soak in thermal hot springs and picnic next to beautiful waterfalls. There are also breathtaking hikes and great water activities.

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 Taupo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Taupo is a very popular town to visit for backpackers. There's plenty of backpacker and hostel accommodation in the area. There are also free outdoor activities and adrenaline-filled adventures 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 Taupo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Hue and Taupo offer good 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.

Taupo has some public transit options. There are local bus service, the Taupo Connector, that travels around the town center. If you want to get outside of town, you'll need to have a car.

Is Hue or Taupo a more walkable city?

Hue is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Taupo is a somewhat walkable city. The town is fairly compact, but if you want to efficiently get around and experience everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Taupo or Hue?

How long in Hue or Taupo?

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

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

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

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

One day in Hue or Taupo?

In Hue, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With skiing and nightlife around the stunning destination of Taupo, there's plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One of the main draws to the area is the skiing. 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 Taupo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hue. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Many people visit Taupo for a weekend. With nightlife and food around the otherworldly town of Taupo, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the skiing. 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 Taupo?

Hue is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Hue. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The destination of Taupo offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the skiing. 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 Taupo?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Hue. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Taupo, 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 Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Hue or Taupo?

Hue has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Taupo. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Taupo, 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.