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

Should you visit Phuket or Torquay?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Torquay, 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 energetic, party-hard, and stunning resort island. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Torquay

Torquay is a casual, laid back, and hip surf town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Phuket and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Torquay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Phuket than Torquay, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Phuket is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Torquay is more popular for its museums, hiking, and small town charm. Phuket is more touristy than Torquay and is popular 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). Torquay is well known for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere.

How is Phuket different from Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Torquay offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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."

Torquay is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Phuket or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its evening party scene.

Phuket is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Torquay. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Phuket or Torquay Better for Resorts?

Phuket is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Torquay 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.

Torquay is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Torquay Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is great for its diving and snorkeling. However, Torquay 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.

Torquay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Both Phuket and Torquay have amazing beaches worth visiting.

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.

Torquay is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Is Phuket or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Torquay 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 Torquay. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Torquay?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Torquay 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.

Torquay has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

Is Phuket or Torquay Better for Families?

Phuket and Torquay are both notable destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phuket. 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.

Torquay offers lots of family activities. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Phuket or Torquay Better for Couples?

Phuket and Torquay 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.

Torquay is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

Is Phuket or Torquay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Torquay 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 Torquay. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

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 Torquay 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 Torquay.

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 Torquay offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

Is Phuket or Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay 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.

Torquay is a very walkable surf town. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

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 Torquay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Torquay?

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

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

One day in Phuket or Torquay?

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 Torquay. 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 Torquay?

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.

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

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 Torquay. Don't miss the beaches, 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 Torquay?

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 laid back destination of Torquay. This surf 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 Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Torquay, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Torquay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket is in Asia and Torquay is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Torquay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Torquay 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 Torquay.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Torquay?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Torquay, 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 Torquay?

Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?

Both Torquay and Phuket during the summer 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 beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

Torquay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Torquayin January. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Torquay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Torquay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Torquay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Phuket is a little warmer than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Torquay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Torquay. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Torquay in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Phuket is generally much warmer than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Torquayin July. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Torquay in the Spring?

Both Torquay and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Torquay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Phuket is a little warmer than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Phuket. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Torquayin October. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.

Typical Weather for Torquay and Phuket