A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Da Nang for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Food

Should you visit Phuket or Da Nang?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Da Nang, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Phuket

Phuket is a party-hard, stunning, and activity-filled resort island. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a authentic, coastal, and accessible city. And you can't forget about the beaches, museums, and nightlife.

Phuket and Da Nang: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Da Nang?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Phuket than Da Nang. While Da Nang is larger than Phuket, Phuket has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Phuket is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Da Nang is more popular for its museums and food. Phuket is more touristy than Da Nang and is known for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Also, Phuket is famous for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Da Nang is well known for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Phuket different from Da Nang?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phuket or Da Nang?

Da Nang is a nice place to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Da Nang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Da Nang? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Da Nang is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Da Nang. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

Phuket is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Is Phuket or Da Nang Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Phuket is a must-see party destination. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

Da Nang has a large number of nightlife venues. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Is Phuket or Da Nang Better for Resorts?

Phuket is terrific for its resorts. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Phuket is a great choice. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Da Nang. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Is Phuket or Da Nang Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Da Nang is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Phuket. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Da Nang is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Da Nang Better for Beaches?

Phuket is terrific for the beache. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Phuket. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Many people head to Da Nang to enjoy the beach. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Da Nang?

Phuket is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

Phuket offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Da Nang has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Is Phuket or Da Nang Better for Families?

Da Nang is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Da Nang is a very kid-friendly city. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Phuket or Da Nang Better for Couples?

Phuket and Da Nang are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Phuket frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Da Nang is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Is Phuket or Da Nang Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Da Nang is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Phuket is a resort island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Da Nang. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

Phuket is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. Many backpackers complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Da Nang Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Phuket and Da Nang.

You'll find some public transit in Phuket, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

While Da Nang offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

Is Phuket or Da Nang a more walkable city?

Phuket is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

Da Nang is not a very walkable resort island. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Da Nang Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Da Nang or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Da Nang?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Phuket or Da Nang to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phuket than Da Nang because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 1-2 days is enough time in Da Nang.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Da Nang than Phuket 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 Da Nang.

One day in Phuket or Da Nang?

In Phuket, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Da Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Phuket or Da Nang?

In Phuket, 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. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Da Nang is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Da Nang?

Phuket 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 Phuket has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Da Nang. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

A week in Phuket or Da Nang?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. In Phuket, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Da Nang. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Da Nang?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Da Nang, 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 Phuket or Da Nang?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Da Nang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Da Nang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

January to July in Da Nang is the dry season. Also, August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Da Nang. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Da Nang this time of the year. In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives less sunshine than Da Nang during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Da Nang receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Da Nang in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Da Nang fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Da Nang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Da Nang. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year.

Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. August to December in Da Nang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Da Nang. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets less rain in October than Da Nang. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Da Nang. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Da Nang receives 158 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Phuket is around the same temperature as Da Nang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Da Nang averages at about 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Da Nang in the Winter?

Both Da Nang and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The dry season in Da Nang is January to July. It rains a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Da Nang. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Da Nang during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Da Nang receives 136 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Phuket is generally a little warmer than Da Nang. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Da Nang fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Da Nang in the Spring?

Both Da Nang and Phuket during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round.

June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Da Nang. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Da Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the spring, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Da Nang. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Da Nang receives 210 hours of full sun.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Da Nang in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Da Nang fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

Typical Weather for Da Nang and Phuket