A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise. 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 high energy, coastal, and resort-filled city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a thrilling, active, and ritzy city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Nha Trang and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Nha Trang and Surfers Paradise are both popular with visitors, Surfers Paradise has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nha Trang is popular for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Surfers Paradise is popular for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also home to the SkyPoint Observation Deck.

How is Nha Trang different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Surfers Paradise is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Surfers Paradise. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Nha Trang. 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.

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

Surfers Paradise is a great city 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.

Surfers Paradise has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find world-class options in both Nha Trang and Surfers Paradise.

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.

People head to Surfers Paradise just to party. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

Is Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for its luxury resorts. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

Vacationers flock to Surfers Paradise for its luxury resorts. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

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

Is Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is a great city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nha Trang is not known for snorkeling and scuba diving.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

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.

Is Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for the beache. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Surfers Paradise offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is a good destination for hiking. However, Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Surfers Paradise offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Surfers Paradise draws large crowds to its stores. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

Many visitors go to Nha Trang to go shopping. 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.

Is Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Surfers Paradise is very family-friendly. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

Nha Trang is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

Nha Trang and Surfers Paradise both great 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.

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place to visit for couples. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

Is Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Surfers Paradise is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Nha Trang is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

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

Nha Trang and Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise has a few public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Nha Trang is a very walkable destination. 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.

Surfers Paradise is somewhat walkable. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise?

Both Nha Trang and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Nha Trang. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nha Trang, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal destination of Nha Trang. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Surfers Paradise. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of Nha Trang. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the thrilling destination of Surfers Paradise. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise?

Nha Trang is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the high energy city of Surfers Paradise. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise?

Nha Trang is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Surfers Paradise is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Surfers Paradise, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise?

Nha Trang has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Nha Trang is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nha Trang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nha Trang as well as Surfers Paradise. Nha Trang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Nha Trang is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 26°C (79°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Nha Trang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nha Trang usually gets more rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. September to December in Nha Trang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

Both Surfers Paradise and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

Nha Trang is much warmer than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

In January, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise and Nha Trang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches.

In the spring, Nha Trang is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nha Trang in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Nha Trang