A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Mount Aspiring National Park for Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park, 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 shopping, nightlife, and food.

Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring National Park is a undeveloped, remote, and rugged national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking.

Phuket and Mount Aspiring National Park : Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Phuket than Mount Aspiring National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Phuket is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Mount Aspiring National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Mount Aspiring National Park 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). Mount Aspiring National Park is well known for its mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes.

How is Phuket different from Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Phuket is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Phuket. 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."

Mount Aspiring National Park has a small number of restaurants to choose from. Bring plenty of food supplies, because amenities are in short supply in many parts of the park.

Is Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is very popular for nightlife and partying. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Phuket is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Resorts?

Phuket is very popular for its resorts. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a resort destination.

Phuket offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Phuket to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Beaches?

Phuket is very popular for the beache. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Phuket are among the best in the world. 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Hiking?

Mount Aspiring National Park is an amazing national park to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Mount Aspiring National Park draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. There are many different types of trails in the park that range from shorter day hikes to multi-day hikes. The difficulty level doesn't always correspond to the length of the hike, so do your research before you set out. Some of the most known hikes in the area are the Blue Pools Track, the Rob Roy Track, the Routeburn Track, and the challenging Cascade Saddle Route.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park?

Phuket is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Families?

Mount Aspiring National Park is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. The park offers a stunning natural setting that will inspire a child's love of nature. There are a number of kid-friendly hikes in the park with some of the most popular being the Blue Pools Track, Routeburn Nature Walk, the Roaring Billy Falls Walk, and the Thunder Creek Falls Walk.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Couples?

Phuket and Mount Aspiring National Park are both superb 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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. Filled with inspiring scenery and a breathtaking mountain setting, this park is perfect for couples who appreciate nature's beauty. There are hiking trails, waterfalls, and striking views that will spark the romance in any relationship.

Is Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mount Aspiring National Park is an amazing national park to visit for backpackers. However, Phuket is a resort island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Mount Aspiring National Park. Set in the beautiful Southern Alps, backpackers will love exploring the impressive mountain scenery and breathtaking views.

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 Mount Aspiring National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Phuket is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Mount Aspiring National Park is not a good national park for times when you don't have a car.

Phuket has a few public transit options. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Public transit is mostly limited in Mount Aspiring National Park. It's possible to arrange transportation to the trailheads from Te Anau or Wanaka.

Is Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park a more walkable city?

Phuket and Mount Aspiring National Park both are notable when exploring on foot.

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.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a somewhat walkable resort island. There are day hikes as well as mult-day back country hikes through the park.

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Mount Aspiring National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mount Aspiring National Park or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

In either Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Phuket than Mount Aspiring National Park because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 2-5 days is enough time in Mount Aspiring National Park .

Couples should spend more time in Phuket than Mount Aspiring National Park . 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 Phuket than Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Phuket.

One day in Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

The activity-filled destination of Phuket offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Mount Aspiring National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Mount Aspiring National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, 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.

Five days in Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

Phuket is a fun place to experience. It's also a relaxing resort destination. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phuket has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mount Aspiring National Park. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Mount Aspiring National Park ?

The stunning resort island of Phuket offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the breathtaking destination of Mount Aspiring National Park. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Eco Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Mount Aspiring National Park , we can see that Mount Aspiring National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Phuket is in Asia and Mount Aspiring National Park is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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