A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Khao Lak vs. Torquay for Beaches, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Khao Lak or Torquay?

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 Torquay 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 friendly, idyllic, and serene area. Many visitors also come to Khao Lak because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Khao Lak travel costs.

Torquay

Torquay is a hip, thriving, and outdoorsy surf town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Torquay is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Torquay travel costs.

Khao Lak and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Khao Lak or Torquay?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Torquay. Although Khao Lak and Torquay are popular destinations, Torquay has more sights and attractions for tourists. Torquay is very popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, and small town charm, while Khao Lak attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Khao Lak is more touristy than Torquay and is popular for its undersea marine life, white sand beaches, and mellow coastal vibe. Torquay is famous for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. It is also well known for Bells Beach.

How is Khao Lak different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Torquay is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

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 Torquay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Khao Lak and Torquay can be difficult as they are each nice 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.

Torquay has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Khao Lak or Torquay 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 Torquay has a few options to choose from. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay Better for Resorts?

Khao Lak is great for its luxury resorts. However, Torquay is not a resort destination.

Khao Lak is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The resorts cater to couples and families and offer a laid back and relaxed setting.

Torquay is not a resort destination.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Khao Lak is great for its diving and snorkeling. However, Torquay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Khao Lak to enjoy 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.

Torquay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Both Khao Lak and Torquay are considered to be first-rate beach destinations.

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.

Torquay offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Khao Lak is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Torquay. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Khao Lak is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Khao Lak or Torquay?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Torquay 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 Torquay. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay More Beautiful?

Khao Lak is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Khao Lak because of it's amazing beauty. Stunning beaches, diverse marine life, and breathtaking natural landscapes make this a truly beautiful destination.

Torquay offers plenty of beauty for visitors. There's a beautiful coastline with sandy beaches and nice coastal walks.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay Better for Families?

Khao Lak is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Khao Lak is very family-friendly. 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.

Torquay is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay Better for Couples?

Khao Lak is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for couples.

Khao Lak has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Underwater beauty, stunning beaches, outdoor adventures, and wildlife experiences all make these islands a world class honeymoon destination.

Torquay is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Khao Lak is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Torquay is a good area to visit for backpackers. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Khao Lak and Torquay.

You'll find some public transit in Khao Lak, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

While Torquay offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Khao Lak or Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay is a great destination for its walkability. However, Khao Lak is a area with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Torquay is very walkable. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

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 Torquay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Khao Lak?

How long in Khao Lak or Torquay?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Khao Lak and Torquay. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Khao Lak than in Torquay. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Khao Lak, and 2-3 days is enough time in Torquay.

Families should spend more time in Khao Lak than Torquay. 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 Torquay. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Khao Lak than Torquay 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 Khao Lak.

One day in Khao Lak or Torquay?

In Khao Lak, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This area offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The surf town of Torquay offers 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 Torquay?

In Khao Lak, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Torquay is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this surf town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Torquay, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Khao Lak or Torquay?

Khao Lak is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Khao Lak has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Torquay is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches 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 Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Khao Lak. In Khao Lak, you'll find shopping and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Torquay is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches 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 surf 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 10-Day Tours in Australia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Torquay, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Torquay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Khao Lak is in Asia and Torquay 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 Torquay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Torquay 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 Torquay.

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 Torquay Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Khao Lak or Torquay?

Torquay has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Khao Lak and Torquay, 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 Khao Lak or Torquay?

Torquay has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Lak experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Khao Lak or Torquay in the Summer?

Both Torquay and Khao Lak during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Torquay because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Torquay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Khao Lak in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Torquay averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.

Torquay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in July than Torquayin January. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Khao Lak or Torquay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Torquay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In October, Khao Lak is generally a little warmer than Torquayin April. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 27°C (81°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak.

Should I visit Khao Lak or Torquay in the Winter?

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

Khao Lak is much warmer than Torquay in the winter. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

Khao Lak usually gets less rain in January than Torquayin July. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Khao Lak or Torquay in the Spring?

Both Torquay and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Torquay in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Khao Lak is a little warmer than Torquay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Khao Lak in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Torquay averages at about 21°C (71°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Khao Lak. In April, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Torquayin October. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Khao Lak is November to April. The rainy season in Khao Lak is May to October.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Khao Lak