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

Should you visit Sapa or Queenstown?

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 Queenstown can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sapa

Sapa is a picturesque, cultural, and scenic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Queenstown

Queenstown is a spirited, bustling, and active city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and skiing.

Sapa and Queenstown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapa or Queenstown?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Queenstown. Although Sapa and Queenstown are both popular with visitors, Queenstown has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Queenstown is more popular for its skiing, food, and nightlife, while Sapa is known for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Sapa is popular for its stunning village and mountain trekking, beautiful rice paddies, and colorful weekly markets. Queenstown is popular for its world class skiing, adrenaline-filled adventure sports, and stunning mountain scenery. It is also home to Kawarau Bridge.

How is Sapa different from Queenstown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sapa or Queenstown Better for Skiing?

Queenstown is a world-class destination for skiing. However, Sapa is not a skiing destination.

Queenstown is among the world's best ski destinations. There are four ski areas that are near the city, and many consider these among the best ski fields in New Zealand. The ski season runs from June until October and the skiing is world class.

Sapa is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sapa or Queenstown?

Spend time exploring the decent sights and museums in either Sapa or Queenstown.

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.

Queenstown offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. People head to this city for its amazing outdoor activities, but you won't find much if you're looking for museums. You can check out the Lakes District Museum though.

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

Queenstown is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sapa is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Queenstown has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Located in the heart of the Otago wine region, this city has many award-winning restaurants. Local dishes, vegan cafes, and international flavors all make for a cosmopolitan and world class dining scene.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is Sapa or Queenstown Better for Nightlife?

Queenstown is great for nightlife. Also, Sapa is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Queenstown for the nightlife scene. This cosmopolitan town has some of the best nightlife in the country. There are laid back pubs, trendy cocktail bars, and live music venues that make for a fun night out.

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 Queenstown Better for Hiking?

You'll find first-rate hiking in both Sapa and Queenstown.

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, Queenstown draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city is ideally located near some of the country's best hiking. There are walks through beech forests, along rugged mountains, and to stunning views. Several of the Great Walks are in the area as well, but if you're looking for something a little simpler, then there are many options also.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapa or Queenstown?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sapa and Queenstown both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Queenstown is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's a bustling city with designer brands and boutique shopping. There are also souvenir shops and retail outlets.

Is Sapa or Queenstown Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Sapa or Queenstown.

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.

Queenstown is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy the Queenstown cable car and the Skyline Gondola. After a ride on the gondola, you can even take the luge back down! The city also offers lake cruises, family-friendly farm tours, boat tours, and kayaking.

Is Sapa or Queenstown Better for Couples?

Queenstown is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Sapa is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Queenstown has plenty to offer. The city is known for its adrenaline-filled adventure activities and couples who enjoy a thrill will appreciate the fun. There are also hot springs, boat cruises, and wine tours in the area. One of the most romantic activities is dinner at the Skyline.

Sapa is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Sapa or Queenstown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Queenstown 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 Queenstown. With its thrill-seeking activities and nearby skiing, this is a great backpacker destination year round.

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 Queenstown Better for Students?

Queenstown is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Sapa is not popular with students.

Queenstown is very popular with students. There are excellent universities in the area as well as fun activities and a lively energy that students enjoy.

Sapa is not popular with students.

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

Sapa and Queenstown both offer good 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.

Queenstown has a few public transit options. There's a decent bus system that travels around town.

Is Sapa or Queenstown a more walkable city?

Sapa and Queenstown are high quality 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.

Queenstown is a very walkable town. In town, many of the sights and activities can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Queenstown or Sapa?

How long in Sapa or Queenstown?

Both Sapa and Queenstown have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Queenstown than in Sapa. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Sapa, and 2-7 days is enough time in Queenstown.

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

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

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

One day in Sapa or Queenstown?

With shopping and nightlife around the fascinating town of Sapa, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Queenstown. 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 Queenstown?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Sapa, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Queenstown is a fun place to experience. 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 Queenstown?

Sapa, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the active destination of Queenstown. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Sapa or Queenstown?

Sapa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the adventure-filled city of Queenstown. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sapa and Queenstown, we can see that Queenstown 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Queenstown 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 Queenstown Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sapa or Queenstown?

Sapa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Queenstown. When comparing the sizes of Sapa and Queenstown, 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.