A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Picton for Nightlife, Food, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Nha Trang or Picton?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Nha Trang and Picton. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a vibrant, high energy, and coastal city. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Nha Trang travel costs.

Picton

Picton is a picturesque, scenic, and quaint town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Picton travel costs.

Nha Trang and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Picton?

Both Picton and Nha Trang have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Nha Trang is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Picton is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Nha Trang is more touristy than Picton and is popular for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Picton is popular for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

How is Nha Trang different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nha Trang or Picton?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nha Trang and Picton.

Nha Trang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Picton. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

Is the Food Better in Nha Trang or Picton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picton is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Picton has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Nha Trang area. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.

Is Nha Trang or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is very popular for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Nha Trang is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Nha Trang or Picton Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is a good destination for its resorts. However, Picton is not a resort destination.

Nha Trang has a few great resort options. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Picton is not a resort destination.

Is Nha Trang or Picton Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nha Trang is a moderate city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.

Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Picton Better for Beaches?

Picton is a great town for the beach. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Many people visit Picton for it's beautiful beaches. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Nha Trang is a good option for a beach vacation. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.

Is Nha Trang or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton is a great town for hiking. However, Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Picton for the hiking trails. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Picton?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nha Trang and Picton both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nha Trang. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.

Many visitors go to Picton to go shopping. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Nha Trang or Picton Better for Families?

Both Nha Trang and Picton are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nha Trang is very family-friendly. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.

Picton is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Nha Trang or Picton Better for Couples?

Nha Trang and Picton both excellent destinations for a couple.

Nha Trang is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

Picton is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Is Nha Trang or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nha Trang and Picton are excellent places to visit.

Many backpackers visit Nha Trang. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.

Picton is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Nha Trang or Picton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nha Trang and Picton both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Nha Trang offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

Picton has a few public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Nha Trang or Picton a more walkable city?

Nha Trang and Picton are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Nha Trang is a very walkable city. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.

Picton is a very walkable destination. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Nha Trang Worth Visiting? and Is Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nha Trang or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nha Trang than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nha Trang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Picton than Nha Trang 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 Picton.

One day in Nha Trang or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nha Trang. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Picton. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Picton has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nha Trang or Picton?

Nha Trang is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the quaint destination of Picton. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nha Trang. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic town of Picton. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nha Trang or Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the resort-filled destination of Nha Trang. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Picton is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Picton?

Nha Trang has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang and Picton, 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 Nha Trang or Picton?

Picton has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nha Trang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Picton in the Summer?

Both Picton and Nha Trang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In the summer, Nha Trang is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nha Trang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Picton averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

Nha Trang usually gets less rain in July than Pictonin January. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. January to August is the dry season in Nha Trang. September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Picton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Picton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Nha Trang is generally much warmer than Pictonin April. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 26°C (79°F), and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Nha Trang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nha Trang usually receives more rain than Pictonin April. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Picton in the Winter?

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

Nha Trang is much warmer than Picton in the winter. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Picton. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in January than Pictonin July. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Picton in the Spring?

Both Picton and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Nha Trang is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nha Trang in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Picton averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

In April, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Pictonin October. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Nha Trang