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

Should you visit Phuket or Taupo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Taupo, 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 activity-filled, energetic, and party-hard resort island. Phuket is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Phuket travel costs.

Taupo

Taupo is a stunning, otherworldly, and striking town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Taupo is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Taupo travel costs.

Phuket and Taupo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Taupo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Phuket than Taupo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Phuket is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Taupo is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, hiking, and small town charm. Phuket is more touristy than Taupo 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). Taupo is well known for its thermal hot springs, dramatic landscapes, and world class hikes.

How is Phuket different from Taupo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Phuket or Taupo Better for Skiing?

Taupo is an amazing town to visit for winter skiing. However, Phuket is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Taupo is among the best in the world. Nearby Mount Ruapehu offers access to the longest running ski season in both Australia and New Zealand. From June until October you can enjoy the largest commercial ski areas around. There are options for everyone from young beginners to experts. The two main ski resorts in the area are Whakapapa Ski Area and Tūroa Ski Area.

Phuket is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phuket or Taupo?

Taupo is not so good for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Taupo offers a few options for museum-goers. Stunning natural beauty and adventure-filled activities are what Taupo is all about, but you won't find much in the form of museums.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Phuket and Taupo can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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."

Taupo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is filled with local restaurants that make use of local ingredients such as fresh caught trout, local produce, and wild game. The town also has many farmers markets and a strong cafe culture.

Is Phuket or Taupo Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Phuket is a world class 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Taupo has a few options to choose from. It's a small resort town that is active during the day and night. There are low key activities in the evening like soaking in the thermal hot pools or grabbing a drink at a bar.

Is Phuket or Taupo Better for Resorts?

Phuket is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Taupo 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.

Taupo is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Taupo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Taupo 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.

Taupo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Taupo Better for Beaches?

Phuket is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Taupo 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.

Taupo is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Taupo Better for Hiking?

Taupo 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 Taupo. The area is filled with beautiful hikes that take you through the natural beauty. During the fall season you can enjoy the fall foliage and during the summer months the wildlife and waterfront setting is at a peak.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Taupo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Taupo 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.

Taupo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The lakefront town has a nice, pedestrian-friendly stretch with boutique shops, fashion outlets, and souvenir vendors.

Is Phuket or Taupo More Beautiful?

Phuket and Taupo are somewhat similar when it comes to the notable scenery.

Phuket is a beautiful place to visit, too. 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.

Taupo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Set against the lake, there is stunning natural beauty in the area and many breathtaking views.

Is Phuket or Taupo Better for Families?

Taupo 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.

Taupo is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Set on the edge of Lake Taupo, there are many family-friendly activities in the area like swimming, boating, and hiking. There are also thermal hot springs and in the winter months skiing. Families who enjoy outdoor adventures will find no shortage of options year round.

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 Taupo Better for Couples?

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

Taupo has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Honeymooners and couples who enjoy romantic scenery, beautiful sunsets, and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this area. You can soak in thermal hot springs and picnic next to beautiful waterfalls. There are also breathtaking hikes and great water activities.

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 Taupo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Taupo is an amazing town to visit for backpackers. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Taupo. There's plenty of backpacker and hostel accommodation in the area. There are also free outdoor activities and adrenaline-filled adventures that backpackers will enjoy.

Phuket is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Phuket or Taupo 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 Taupo.

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 Taupo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local bus service, the Taupo Connector, that travels around the town center. If you want to get outside of town, you'll need to have a car.

Is Phuket or Taupo a more walkable city?

Phuket and Taupo 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.

Taupo is a somewhat walkable resort island. The town is fairly compact, but if you want to efficiently get around and experience everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Taupo or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Taupo?

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

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

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

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

One day in Phuket or Taupo?

In Phuket, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this stunning destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Taupo. 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 Taupo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Phuket is a fun place to experience. In Phuket, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Taupo. Don't miss the skiing, as that's what most people do. 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 Taupo?

In Phuket, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this party-hard destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the otherworldly destination of Taupo. 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 G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Taupo, 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 Taupo 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 Taupo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Taupo?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Taupo. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Taupo, 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.