A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapa vs. Gili Trawangan for Nightlife, Backpackers, Food, and Families

Should you visit Sapa or Gili Trawangan?

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 Gili Trawangan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sapa

Sapa is a cultural, scenic, and fascinating town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Sapa is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping. See Sapa travel costs.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a tropical, idyllic, and laidback island. Gili Trawangan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, nightlife, and food. See Gili Trawangan travel costs.

Sapa and Gili Trawangan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapa or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Gili Trawangan. Although Sapa and Gili Trawangan are popular destinations, Gili Trawangan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Gili Trawangan is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Sapa attracts visitors for its hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Gili Trawangan is more touristy than Sapa and is known for its beautiful water and impressive scuba diving. It is also well known for beautiful beachfront setting. Sapa is famous for its stunning village and mountain trekking, beautiful rice paddies, and colorful weekly markets.

How is Sapa different from Gili Trawangan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the reasonable sights and museums in either Sapa or Gili Trawangan.

While most people don't head to Sapa specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

Gili Trawangan offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art and cultural museums on the island, but most people spend their time soaking up the idyllic setting.

Is the Food Better in Sapa or Gili Trawangan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Sapa and Gili Trawangan both to be very good destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sapa. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Gili Trawangan. As the largest and one of the most touristy of the Gili Islands, you'll find a wide range of cuisines. There's everything from Mexican to Greek available. You'll also find plenty of tropical fruits and some local Indonesian cuisine as well.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan Better for Nightlife?

Gili Trawangan is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Sapa is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

People head to Gili Trawangan just to party. This is the "party island" of the Gili Islands. It has a wild nightlife scene that is particularly popular with backpackers. There are tons of beach bars that have live music, DJs, and nightly parties. There are also regular boat parties. The party scene is pretty well coordinated across the bars, and one bar will stay open late each night while the others close around midnight. This keeps the partygoers concentrated in one location and keeps the energy high for everyone.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sapa. 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.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan Better for Resorts?

Gili Trawangan is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Sapa is not a resort destination.

Gili Trawangan has a handful of resorts to choose from. The island was long known for its backpacker vibe which included poorly concentrated beach huts. More recently there's been an upswing in upmarket accommodation, particularly on the quieter western and northern sides of the island.

Sapa is not a resort destination.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gili Trawangan is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Sapa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Gili Trawangan is not to be missed. Snorkeling and diving are a highlight on the island, and a big draw for many visitors. The island is small, with a large concentration of tourists, so if you book a boat trip, you'll likely be surrounded by others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy colorful fish, a magical undersea world, and the occasional sea turtle.

Sapa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan Better for Beaches?

Gili Trawangan is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Sapa is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Gili Trawangan is a very popular vacation destination. The island is filled with white sand beaches, most of which have restaurants and beachside bars nearby. One of the busiest beaches is near the port, but a quieter area is nearby Surf Point. The sunset side of the island is perfect in the evening when the sun starts to dip below the horizon, but the beaches on that side aren't as great as the other side of the island.

Sapa is not a beach destination.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan Better for Hiking?

Sapa is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

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.

Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapa or Gili Trawangan?

Sapa is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Sapa is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Gili Trawangan has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most things you need on the island, but this isn't a place people usually shop for fun.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan More Beautiful?

Sapa is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Gili Trawangan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Sapa is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The region is filled with dramatic mountains and rice paddies that give it a truly Vietnamese beauty.

With stunning beauty, Gili Trawangan attracts visitors from all around. Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches make this an idyllic island paradise. The setting is perfect for hanging out by the water and soaking up the island vibe.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Sapa or Gili Trawangan.

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.

Gili Trawangan is a very kid-friendly town. There are many kid-friendly activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and biking. There are also glass bottom boat tours and a great laidback island vibe that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Do note that this is one of the more popular islands for backpackers, so there is a big party scene.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan Better for Couples?

Both Sapa and Gili Trawangan are very good 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.

Gili Trawangan is a very popular place to visit for couples. White sand, blue water, and a true tropical island paradise make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. It's one of the more energetic of the Gili Islands, so if you're looking for a calm retreat, there may be better options, but it still has wonderful resorts and great diving.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gili Trawangan is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sapa is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Gili Trawangan. It's the most popular of the Gili Islands for backpackers so you'll find tons of hostels and a great nightlife scene. The energy is high and the scenery and idyllic beaches are wonderful.

Sapa is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

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

Sapa and Gili Trawangan both offer nice public transit to get you around.

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.

Gili Trawangan has a few public transit options. Many tourists enjoy getting around the island by cidomo, which are horse-drawn carts. Otherwise, walking or biking are your best options.

Is Sapa or Gili Trawangan a more walkable city?

Sapa and Gili Trawangan are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Gili Trawangan is a very walkable town. While it's the largest of the Gili Islands, it still small enough to walk around in about two hours and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Sapa Worth Visiting? and Is Gili Trawangan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gili Trawangan or Sapa?

How long in Sapa or Gili Trawangan?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Sapa 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 Gili Trawangan.

One day in Sapa or Gili Trawangan?

In Sapa, you'll find nightlife and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of Gili Trawangan. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Gili Trawangan?

Sapa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Gili Trawangan is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Gili Trawangan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sapa. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the tropical destination of Gili Trawangan. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sapa or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the town of Sapa. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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.

The tropical island of Gili Trawangan offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When comparing the travel costs between Sapa and Gili Trawangan, we can see that Sapa 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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