A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Nara for Couples, Hiking, Families, and Food

Should you visit Similan Islands or Nara?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Nara can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a spectacular, idyllic, and remote island chain. You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Nara

Nara is a historic, cultural, and traditional city. Nara is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Nara travel costs.

Similan Islands and Nara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Nara?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nara than Similan Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nara is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Similan Islands is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Nara is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer. Also, Nara is famous for Nara Park. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Nara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Nara?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nara. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Nara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Similan Islands has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Nara area. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Similan Islands or Nara Better for Nightlife?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Nara has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Nara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Similan Islands a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Nara Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Nara is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Similan Islands. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Similan Islands or Nara Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a city with good options for its old town. However, Similan Islands does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nara. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Similan Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Similan Islands or Nara Better for Hiking?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Similan Islands offers some nice hiking trails. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Nara?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Nara is well-known for its shopping. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Nara More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

Nara offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The city is filled with green space, parks, and natural areas. You'll find deer roaming freely and tranquil lawns where you can relax.

Is Similan Islands or Nara Better for Families?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nara is very family-friendly. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Similan Islands. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Is Similan Islands or Nara Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Similan Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Nara makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Is Similan Islands or Nara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nara is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Nara is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Nara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Nara can get you to some places easily. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Is Similan Islands or Nara a more walkable city?

Nara is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Nara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nara or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Nara?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Similan Islands or Nara to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Similan Islands than Nara because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 1-2 days is enough time in Nara.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nara than Similan Islands 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 Nara.

One day in Similan Islands or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Similan Islands. 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.

The traditional destination of Nara offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Nara?

Similan Islands is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of Nara offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the remote destination of Similan Islands. This island chain offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Nara is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the idyllic island chain of Similan Islands. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Nara?

Nara has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Nara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Nara. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Nara in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Nara in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Nara. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nara. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Nara. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Nara in the Autumn?

Both Nara and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Nara for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nara averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Nara during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Nara. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Nara in the Winter?

Both Nara and Similan Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Nara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Nara can be very cold. In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Nara. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Nara. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Nara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Nara this time of year.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Nara in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Nara during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nara receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Nara. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Typical Weather for Nara and Similan Islands