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

Should you visit Phuket or Rotorua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Rotorua, 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. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a natural, world-renowned, and diverse town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phuket and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Rotorua?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Phuket than Rotorua, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Phuket is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Rotorua is known for its museums, food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Rotorua and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. It is also home to The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Phuket different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rotorua 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 Rotorua can be an interesting and educational experience. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

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 Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Phuket has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Phuket or Rotorua Better for Resorts?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Rotorua is not a resort destination.

Phuket is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Rotorua is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Rotorua Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Phuket is an extremely popular place to visit for 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.

Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Rotorua Better for Beaches?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for the beach. However, Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Phuket is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Rotorua?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rotorua and Phuket.

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.

Rotorua has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Phuket or Rotorua Better for Families?

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

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Rotorua has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Phuket is a great resort island if you're traveling as 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.

Is Phuket or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an amazing town 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 Rotorua. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua.

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 Rotorua offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Phuket or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Phuket and Rotorua both are good 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.

Rotorua is a somewhat walkable resort island. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Rotorua?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.

One day in Phuket or Rotorua?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?

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.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Rotorua?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Rotorua. This town 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 Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Rotorua, we can see that Phuket 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Rotorua?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Rotorua. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Phuket is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Rotorua in the Autumn?

Both Rotorua 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, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Phuket is generally much warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 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 Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua 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. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

Phuket usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Rotorua in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Phuket is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Phuket