A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) for Hiking, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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. Similan Islands is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a spectacular, breathtaking, and other-worldly national park. Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) travel costs.

Similan Islands and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock): Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) than Similan Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and shopping, while Similan Islands is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its natural beauty and its spiritual and sacred significance in the Anangu culture. Also, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is famous for Uluru. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a national park with good options for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Cultural Center offers information on the local Anangu culture. Also make sure you visit Field of Light, which is an art installation that is impressive. Wintjiri Arts and Museum is another local spot that is worth visiting.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Many of the dining options are connected with the resorts in the area. A bucket list experience is to enjoy outdoor dining with a 4 or 5 course menu under the desert moon. Many visitors also enjoy the unique experience of an outdoor barbecue, complete with local foods and a stunning sunset view. There are several fine dining options in the area, and a handful of budget-friendly places to eat as well.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Similan Islands area. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Is Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Nightlife?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a decent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). Dining under the stars is the best way to experience a night at Uluru.

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Resorts?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

In Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock), you'll find some of the region's top resorts. While there is nowhere to stay inside the park, just outside there are many resorts and hotels. Many of the options in the area are run by one or two companies. There are also campgrounds nearby.

Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Is Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Similan Islands is not to be missed. 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.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Similan Islands is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is not a beach destination.

Is Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Hiking?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is an amazing national park to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) visitors will find world-class hiking trails. There are countless walks in the area that pass by stunning viewpoints and surreal rock formations. You can feel the natural beauty and the spirituality of the park as you soak up the other-worldly landscape. Out of respect for the people and nature, always stay on marked trails.

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a national park with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). You'll find everything you need as far as forgotten essentials and tourist souvenirs nearby.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) More Beautiful?

Similan Islands and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) are somewhat similar when it comes to the amazing scenery.

Similan Islands is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. 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.

The famous beauty of Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is one of the main draws. It's dramatic beauty and spiritual setting make this an iconic destination. It's particularly striking at sunrise and sunset.

Is Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Families?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is very family-friendly. Kids and adults alike will benefit from learning about the local Anangu culture. You can visit the Cultural Center or take an informative guided tour of the area. A visit to the Field of Lights is sure to impress as well. Other family-friendly activities include camel rides, beautiful hikes, helicopter rides and reptile shows.

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Couples?

Both Similan Islands and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) are amazing destinations for a couple's getaway.

Similan Islands is a great island chain for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The natural and spiritual beauty of this sight make it a truly romantic destination. Sunrise and sunset are particularly spectacular. There are also romantic resorts, adventure-filled activities, and unique dining opportunities that will make this an amazing honeymoon or anniversary trip.

Is Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). Many backpackers choose to stay at a hostel or campground near the sight. There are also some cheaper tour options that cater to the backpacker 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Similan Islands is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). There's no public transit or taxis in the area, but there is a hop-on hop-off bus as well as private bus tours and rental cars that you can arrange.

Is Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) a more walkable city?

Similan Islands and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are many walks in the area, and seeing Uluru on foot is one of the most rewarding ways to explore.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

It's fun to spend time in either Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). Generally, people tend to spend more time in Similan Islands due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 3-4 days is enough time in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock).

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock).

One day in Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Similan Islands. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The breathtaking destination of Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) offers shopping and museums. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the idyllic destination of Similan Islands. It offers something for everyone. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

The national park of Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) offers museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Similan Islands. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Five days here is typical. Your budget might influence how long you stay. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island chain.

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. This national park offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

Similan Islands is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. It is common to spend one week here. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island chain has to offer.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock). You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock), we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Similan Islands is in Asia and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock).

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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Expensive?.