A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Khao Lak vs. Alice Springs for Couples, Families, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Khao Lak and Alice Springs 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.

Khao Lak

Khao Lak is a idyllic, serene, and laid back area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a laid back, outdoorsy, and charming town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Khao Lak and Alice Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Khao Lak than Alice Springs, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Khao Lak is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Alice Springs is more popular for its museums, hiking, and small town charm. Khao Lak is well known for its undersea marine life, white sand beaches, and mellow coastal vibe. Also, Khao Lak is famous for Khao Sok National Park. Alice Springs is well known for its desert landscapes, Outback setting, and location between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges.

How is Khao Lak different from Alice Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

Alice Springs is a town with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Khao Lak is a area with minimal options for its historical sights.

Alice Springs is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several wildlife centers in town that let you experience the desert animals first hand. Make sure you check out the Alice Springs Reptile Center, the Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Kangaroo Sanctuary. Another highlight of the town is a visit to the Alice Springs School of the Air.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Khao Lak. You'll find plenty or natural beauty, but not much in the form of temples or museums.

Is the Food Better in Khao Lak or Alice Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Khao Lak and Alice Springs can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Khao Lak offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There's a range of southern Thai classics that include seafood, curries, grilled meats, and even vegetarian options. You'll also find an abundance of western food restaurants that serve everything from pizza to burgers.

Alice Springs has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are casual eateries with local food and decent prices. While it's a small town, there are plenty of tourists passing through so you'll find enough places to eat with a decent selection.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Khao Lak or Alice Springs has a better nightlife scene.

Khao Lak has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's a tranquil place, there are still some bars and clubs that have a laid back atmosphere and are fun places to hang out in the evening.

If you're looking for night time activities Alice Springs has a few options to choose from. It's a laid back small town, but there are still places to hang out in evening. Pubs and taverns are popular with locals and tourists alike. You'll also find a couple of casinos and clubs in town.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs Better for Resorts?

Khao Lak is a great area for its luxury resorts. However, Alice Springs is not a resort destination.

In Khao Lak, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The resorts cater to couples and families and offer a laid back and relaxed setting.

Alice Springs is not a resort destination.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Khao Lak is a great area for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Alice Springs is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Khao Lak is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many great dive and snorkel spots in the area and you'll find no shortage of excursions and day trips, whether you're interested in scuba diving or snorkeling.

Alice Springs is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs Better for Beaches?

Khao Lak is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Alice Springs is not a beach destination.

Khao Lak is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The beaches are a highlight of any trip to Thailand. They offer a laid back and peaceful setting with white sand, turquoise water, and tropical marine life. Some of the best beaches include Bang Niang Beach - which is one of the most popular, Nang Thong Beach - which is one of the most beautiful, and Coconut Beach - which is one of the most idyllic.

Alice Springs is not a beach destination.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs Better for Hiking?

Alice Springs is an amazing town to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Khao Lak is not a hiking destination.

Around Alice Springs visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Just outside of town there are wonderful walking routes and hiking trails. You can visit gorges, waterholes, and wander through the stunning red desert landscapes. One of the most famous trails in the area is the Larapinta Trail.

Khao Lak is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Alice Springs and Khao Lak.

Khao Lak is a great destination for shopping. You'll find night markets, souvenir shops, local tailors, and other places where you can grab essentials or pick up souvenirs from your holiday.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Alice Springs. There are many shopping areas around town, particularly at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre, Alice Plaza, and Todd Mall. Prices can be a bit high, so keep that in mind as you're browsing.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs Better for Families?

Both Khao Lak and Alice Springs are great to visit with kids.

Khao Lak is a very family-friendly place to visit. This series of islands is filled with outdoor adventures for the whole family. You can explore the undersea world with a mask or snorkel or get out on the water on a kayak. There are also turtle sanctuaries and beautiful beaches where you can pass the time.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Alice Springs is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the beautiful setting as much as adults. There are desert animals that you can see at Alice Springs Desert Park or the Kangaroo Sanctuary. The Earth Sanctuary has telescopes and unbeatable views of the night sky. In the area you'll also be able to take a camel ride or visit the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs Better for Couples?

Khao Lak is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Khao Lak is a great area for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Underwater beauty, stunning beaches, outdoor adventures, and wildlife experiences all make these islands a world class honeymoon destination.

Alice Springs is a very popular place to visit for couples. The red desert and stunning landscapes make for a truly one-of-a-kind romantic getaway. In addition to the area's natural beauty, there are hot air balloon rides and camel treks. Hiking and exploring is also at the top of many visitor's lists.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Khao Lak and Alice Springs are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Khao Lak. Like most of Thailand, the backpacker amenities are abundant. You'll find plenty of hostels, fun activities, and affordable entertainment throughout the region.

Many backpackers visit Alice Springs. Many backpackers stop off here during their Australian adventure. There a few hostels in town as well as a laid back and friendly environment that is perfect for backpacking.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Khao Lak is a area with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Alice Springs is not known for its public transit.

While Khao Lak offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transportation comes in the form of tuk tuks, Songthaew (pick up trucks), taxis, and public buses. There are also VIP buses and minivans as well.

Public transit is generally limited in Alice Springs. Public transit options are limited but you will find buses that leave from the Yeperenye Shopping Center on Hartley Street. There are also taxis in town.

Is Khao Lak or Alice Springs a more walkable city?

Alice Springs is a town with good options for its walkability. However, Khao Lak is a area with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Alice Springs is somewhat walkable. The downtown area can be explored on foot.

Khao Lak is generally not a very walkable area. While there are areas where you can walk, the region isn't particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Khao Lak Worth Visiting? and Is Alice Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alice Springs or Khao Lak?

How long in Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

It's fun to spend time in either Khao Lak or Alice Springs. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Khao Lak due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Khao Lak, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alice Springs.

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

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

One day in Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the serene destination of Khao Lak. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Alice Springs is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Khao Lak. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Alice Springs is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Alice Springs, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly destination of Khao Lak. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This area offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Alice Springs is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful area of Khao Lak. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Alice Springs is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Khao Lak Expensive? and Is Alice Springs Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Khao Lak or Alice Springs?

Alice Springs has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Khao Lak and Alice Springs, 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.