A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Nagoya for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Phuket or Nagoya?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Nagoya, 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 stunning, activity-filled, and energetic resort island. Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Phuket travel costs.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a under-rated, often overlooked, and under-the-radar city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Nagoya travel costs.

Phuket and Nagoya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Nagoya?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagoya than Phuket, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nagoya is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Phuket is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Nagoya and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Nagoya is popular for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry. It is also home to the Nagoya Castle.

How is Phuket different from Nagoya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nagoya is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nagoya can be an interesting and educational experience. There are shrines, temples, and other interesting sights in the city. Atsuta Jingu is an important Shinto shrine. Nagoya Castle is another interesting place to visit. If you're willing to head out of the city center a bit, the Meiji-mura Village Museum is an open air museum that has interesting Japanese architecture. There are also interesting museums in town such as the Nagoya City Art Museums and the Toyota Techno and Toyota Automobile Museums.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nagoya is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nagoya is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a strong food culture that's referred to as Nagoya meshi. It's a popular destination for foodies to Japan, even though the city itself is often overlooked by tourists. The city's food uses a lot of local vegetables and its influenced by several international flavors. Important ingredients in the dishes include unagi (freshwater eel), Nagoya cochin (chicken), tamari (soy sauce), and mame miso.

Phuket has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Nagoya Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Nagoya is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are many bars around town, many of which have an international theme. Later in the evening, many people head out to a nightclubs, most of which are concentrated in either Sakae and Shin-sakae.

Is Phuket or Nagoya Better for Resorts?

Phuket is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Nagoya is not a resort destination.

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.

Nagoya is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Nagoya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nagoya 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.

Nagoya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Nagoya Better for Beaches?

Phuket is very popular for the beach. However, Nagoya is not a beach destination.

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.

Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Nagoya?

Nagoya is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Nagoya is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find everything from large shopping malls to street markets and local vendors. Many people head to Nagoya Station for shopping, but Osu Shotengai is another interesting shopping area in the city's old town.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Phuket or Nagoya More Beautiful?

Phuket is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Nagoya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It is a mix of beautiful beaches and tourist crowds. The island is very developed with a combination of 5 star hotels, souvenir shops, and tour companies. Because of the many excursions leaving from the island, many visitors find it a makes a good base for exploring the area.

Nagoya is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Phuket or Nagoya Better for Families?

Nagoya is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Nagoya is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. There are a large number of attractions for families in the area. This city is where you'll find Legoland Japan, which is one of the most popular activities to do with kids. The city also has the Sea Life Aquarium, which is located in the Legoland Hotel. Next to Legoland you'll find the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Another great activity is a visit to the Nagoya Public Aquarium, which is one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. There are dolphins, orcas, and many different ecosystems to explore. Nearby is the Sea Train Land amusement park.

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 Nagoya Better for Couples?

Phuket is a very popular place for couples. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Phuket makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Nagoya is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting the Nagoya Castle or checking out the dolphin and orca shows at the Nagoya Public Aquarium. Noritake Garden is a nice place to explore. There are also many coffee shops in town as well as museums and temples.

Is Phuket or Nagoya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Phuket and Nagoya are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Phuket. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. While it gets its share of backpackers, many visitors complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Nagoya is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a limited number of hostels in town, so they fill up quickly. You should make reservations well in advance if budget is a priority.

Is Phuket or Nagoya Better for Students?

Nagoya is a nice place to visit for students. However, Phuket is not popular with students.

Nagoya is popular with students. Nagoya University has been working to grow its international population. This is a fun and dynamic city that makes a great place to study.

Phuket is not popular with students.

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

Nagoya is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Nagoya can get you around easily. The city has both a subway and public buses. The main bus stations are at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station and there are six subway lines throughout the city.

While Phuket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is Phuket or Nagoya a more walkable city?

Nagoya is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Nagoya is a very walkable city. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nagoya or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Nagoya?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Phuket than Nagoya. 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 Nagoya 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 Nagoya.

One day in Phuket or Nagoya?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Phuket. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Nagoya is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Nagoya?

Phuket is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nagoya is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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 Nagoya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagoya. Don't miss the food, 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.

A week in Phuket or Nagoya?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the activity-filled destination of Phuket. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated big city of Nagoya. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Nagoya?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Nagoya, 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 Nagoya?

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

Should I visit Phuket or Nagoya in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Nagoya. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Nagoya for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Phuket is around the same temperature as Nagoya. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagoya averages at about 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the summer, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 170 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagoya. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Nagoya. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Nagoya in the Autumn?

Both Nagoya and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nagoya because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Phuket is generally much warmer than Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagoya during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 176 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Nagoya. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.

Should I visit Phuket or Nagoya in the Winter?

Both Nagoya and Phuket during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagoya this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nagoya in the winter. Phuket is much warmer than Nagoya in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Nagoya fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the winter, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 180 hours of full sun.

Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Nagoya. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Nagoya in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Nagoya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nagoya for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Phuket is much warmer than Nagoya. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Nagoya averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nagoya receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Typical Weather for Nagoya and Phuket