A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapa vs. Alice Springs for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sapa or Alice Springs?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sapa and Alice Springs can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sapa

Sapa is a fascinating, picturesque, and cultural town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a outdoorsy, charming, and friendly town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sapa and Alice Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapa or Alice Springs?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sapa than Alice Springs, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sapa is better known for its food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Alice Springs is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Sapa is well known for its stunning village and mountain trekking, beautiful rice paddies, and colorful weekly markets. Also, Sapa is famous for Cat Cat Village. Alice Springs is well known for its desert landscapes, Outback setting, and location between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges.

How is Sapa different from Alice Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sapa or Alice Springs?

Alice Springs is very good for its historical sights. However, Sapa is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Alice Springs is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several wildlife centers in town that let you experience the desert animals first hand. Make sure you check out the Alice Springs Reptile Center, the Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Kangaroo Sanctuary. Another highlight of the town is a visit to the Alice Springs School of the Air.

Sapa offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While the many nearby villages are filled with markets and culture and have the feel of living museums, there are few actual museums in the area.

Is the Food Better in Sapa or Alice Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sapa is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Sapa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The area's food highlights the local agricultural scene with lots of meat, fish, and vegetables. If you want to check out traditional Hmong cuisine, Thang Co is one of the most common dishes. It's a soup that has a strong smell and is prepared with local herbs and meats.

Alice Springs offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are casual eateries with local food and decent prices. While it's a small town, there are plenty of tourists passing through so you'll find enough places to eat with a decent selection.

Is Sapa or Alice Springs Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Sapa and Alice Springs.

If you're looking for night time activities Sapa has a few options to choose from. While you don't visit the area for its nightlife, there's a big backpacker scene here so you'll likely find a crowd looking for a good time. The town has a night market and there are plenty of bars that cater to the tourists.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alice Springs. It's a laid back small town, but there are still places to hang out in evening. Pubs and taverns are popular with locals and tourists alike. You'll also find a couple of casinos and clubs in town.

Is Sapa or Alice Springs Better for Hiking?

You'll find amazing hiking in both Sapa and Alice Springs.

Many people visit Sapa specifically for its hiking. Trekking is, by far, one of the best ways to experience the area's beauty. You'll pass by scenic rice paddies, walk along mist covered mountains, and stumble into fascinating villages. Many people hire a local guide to guide them. This helps the local economy and offers insider information.

Known for its hiking, Alice Springs draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Just outside of town there are wonderful walking routes and hiking trails. You can visit gorges, waterholes, and wander through the stunning red desert landscapes. One of the most famous trails in the area is the Larapinta Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapa or Alice Springs?

Sapa is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sapa. Many villages have a weekly market that is very fascinating to explore. In addition to local food items, there are often locally made handicrafts that make great souvenirs from your travels.

Alice Springs is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping areas around town, particularly at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre, Alice Plaza, and Todd Mall. Prices can be a bit high, so keep that in mind as you're browsing.

Is Sapa or Alice Springs Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Sapa or Alice Springs.

Sapa is a very family-friendly destination. Many people arrive via an overnight train, which is an adventure for the whole family. Once you arrive, your kids will experience a local culture that is uniquely its own. You can participate in a homestay and enjoy meals prepared by a local family. There are also many kid-friendly hikes through the surrounding mountains.

Alice Springs is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy the beautiful setting as much as adults. There are desert animals that you can see at Alice Springs Desert Park or the Kangaroo Sanctuary. The Earth Sanctuary has telescopes and unbeatable views of the night sky. In the area you'll also be able to take a camel ride or visit the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.

Is Sapa or Alice Springs Better for Couples?

Both Sapa and Alice Springs are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Sapa is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy experiencing unique cultures and hiking through stunning mountain settings will love a trip to this mountain town. While the tourists have definitely discovered the area, there are still places that have a local vibe with traditional Vietnamese markets and homesteads.

Alice Springs is a very popular place to visit for couples. The red desert and stunning landscapes make for a truly one-of-a-kind romantic getaway. In addition to the area's natural beauty, there are hot air balloon rides and camel treks. Hiking and exploring is also at the top of many visitor's lists.

Is Sapa or Alice Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Sapa and Alice Springs are superb places to visit.

Sapa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Like much of Southeast Asia, this town and the surrounding areas are solidly on the backpacker trail. You'll find cheap places to stay and tours that cater specifically to the budget and backpacker crowd.

Alice Springs is a great town to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers stop off here during their Australian adventure. There a few hostels in town as well as a laid back and friendly environment that is perfect for backpacking.

Is Sapa or Alice Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sapa is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Alice Springs is not known for its public transit.

While Sapa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses through the region. If you're hoping to visit nearby towns for their market days, an organized tour or private guide is a good option.

Public transit is generally limited in Alice Springs. Public transit options are limited but you will find buses that leave from the Yeperenye Shopping Center on Hartley Street. There are also taxis in town.

Is Sapa or Alice Springs a more walkable city?

Sapa is a great town for its ease of walking around. Also, Alice Springs is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Sapa is a very walkable destination. Trekking is, by far, the best way to experience the area and all of the beauty and culture that it has to offer.

Alice Springs is somewhat walkable. The downtown area can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Sapa Worth Visiting? and Is Alice Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alice Springs or Sapa?

How long in Sapa or Alice Springs?

It's fun to spend time in either Sapa or Alice Springs. In our opinion, Sapa has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sapa than Alice Springs. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapa than Alice Springs 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 Sapa.

One day in Sapa or Alice Springs?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the fascinating destination of Sapa. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Alice Springs is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Sapa or Alice Springs?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sapa. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Alice Springs is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Sapa or Alice Springs?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fascinating destination of Sapa. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Alice Springs is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sapa or Alice Springs?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful town of Sapa. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Because Alice Springs is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sapa and Alice Springs, we can see that Alice Springs is more expensive. And not only is Sapa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sapa is in Asia and Alice Springs 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 Sapa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapa 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 Alice Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alice Springs than you might in Sapa.

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

Which is Bigger, Sapa or Alice Springs?

Sapa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Sapa and Alice Springs, 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.