A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hanoi vs. Airlie Beach for Couples, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Airlie Beach 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.

Hanoi

Hanoi is a historical, fascinating, and high energy city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Hanoi travel costs.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is a laid back, slow-paced, and idyllic town. The famous beauty of Airlie Beach is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Airlie Beach travel costs.

Hanoi and Airlie Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hanoi. Although Hanoi and Airlie Beach are popular destinations, Hanoi has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hanoi is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Airlie Beach attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Hanoi is famous for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy. It is also well known for Hoan Kiem Lake. Airlie Beach is famous for its tours and transportation that visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands.

How is Hanoi different from Airlie Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

Hanoi is very popular for its sights and museums. However, Airlie Beach is not a good town for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Hanoi that are not to be missed. The city is rich in history and culture, which you can experience through its many museums and temples. Notable sights include the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hoa Lo Prison Museum, and the Imperial Citadel.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Airlie Beach. Oceanfront beauty is what this town is all about, so you won't find much is the form of museums and manmade landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hanoi or Airlie Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hanoi is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Hanoi makes for a great culinary experience. Northern Vietnamese cuisine is fresh and delicious. There are some Chinese influences, but it still has a distinct flavor that's all its own. Most notably, Hanoi is the birthplace of the famous soup, Pho. There are also many dishes that use freshwater fish and seafood. Street food and food stalls are a part of the culture, and you'll find some of the best dishes prepared right on the street.

Airlie Beach has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a good selection of restaurants in town that offer everything from freshly caught local seafood to fine dining or casual. Try to pick a place with a view.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Nightlife?

Hanoi is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Hanoi offers plenty to do in the evening. There are night markets, nightclubs, and bars that are popular with backpackers and other young travelers. Some of the best streets for nightlife include Ta Hien Street, Hang Buom Street, Trang Tien Street, and Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Airlie Beach. The town has a number of nightlife venues that include DJ hosted parties, beachfront cocktail lounges, and mellow local bars.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Resorts?

Airlie Beach is renowned for its resorts. However, Hanoi is not a resort destination.

Airlie Beach is a world class resort vacation destination. There's everything from posh resorts and luxury hotels to family-friendly campgrounds. There are also hostels that cater to the budget crowd.

Hanoi is not a resort destination.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Airlie Beach is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Hanoi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Airlie Beach is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. You can't snorkel right off the shore because the water is murky and mucky, but there are excursions that will take you to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many day cruises that will take you out on the reef to several sights where you may see beautiful coral, sea turtles, or even reef sharks.

Hanoi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Beaches?

Airlie Beach is renowned for the beach. However, Hanoi is not a beach destination.

Airlie Beach is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Near town there are world class beaches that range from secluded and idyllic to those lined with luxury resorts. For an escape, head to Hideaway Bay or Dingo Beach. If you don't want to leave town, there's also Airlie Beach, which is right off the Main Street. You likely won't want to swim here, but you can enjoy a picnic. Whatever beach you chose, do confirm that there's a stinger net.

Hanoi is not a beach destination.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is very popular for its historic old town. However, Airlie Beach does not have a historic old town.

Hanoi has a world-famous historical area. This compact and energetic area is filled with history, Vietnamese architecture, traditional food stalls, and some of the city's most interesting streets. It's also at the heart of the city's backpacker scene, and you'll find many hostels in the area.

Airlie Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Hiking?

Airlie Beach is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Hanoi is not a hiking destination.

Around Airlie Beach visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find many incredible hiking trails in the area. Conway National Park is a great place to hike through the rainforest and Conway State Forest is another nice spot.

Hanoi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

Hanoi is very popular for shopping. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Hanoi is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Explore the Old Quarter where you'll find narrow shophouses and traditional markets. It's best to explore on foot and pop in to the places that look interesting. Silk Street and Silver Street are particularly fascinating.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Airlie Beach. Head to the town's main street for your typical souvenir shops and holiday stores.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach More Beautiful?

Airlie Beach is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Hanoi is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Airlie Beach is one of the main draws. Serving as a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, this town is surrounded by some of the world's most idyllic landscapes.

Hanoi is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Families?

Airlie Beach is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Airlie Beach is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy playing in the Airlie Beach Lagoon, visiting the markets, or hanging out at the local beaches or playgrounds. If you're hoping to swim in the ocean, be very aware of the season and the conditions.

Hanoi offers lots of family activities. Some kids love the energy of the city, but others can get a bit intimidated by it. The traffic and chaotic congestion is part of the experience, but for kids it can feel overwhelming. Take a tour to help ease some of the pressure. Kids will also enjoy going to a water puppet show or visiting a museum such as the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Couples?

Airlie Beach is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Airlie Beach is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples often use this as a gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands. The dining scene is good and there are countless outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. There are also many different resorts in the area.

Hanoi is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy adventure and exploring new cultures will love a trip to this fascinating city. If you want to get out of town, also book a trip through the stunning Halong Bay.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi is very popular for backpackers. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hanoi is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a highlight for many backpackers doing the Southeast Asian circuit. It is filled with hostels and cheap places to eat, and there is no shortage of backpackers around town. Most stay in the Old Quarter, where you'll find the highest concentration of hostels and budget accommodation.

Many backpackers visit Airlie Beach. If you're hoping to visit the Whitsunday Islands, then is a good place to base yourself as a backpacker. It has a decent selection of hostels and there are a number of restaurants and other dining options.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Students?

Hanoi is a well-known place for students. However, Airlie Beach is not popular with students.

Many students visit Hanoi. It's affordability, fascinating culture, and accessibility make it a great study abroad destination. The food and plethora of cultural opportunities are a highlight for many international students.

Airlie Beach is not popular with students.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Airlie Beach is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Hanoi is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Airlie Beach, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a public bus that runs from Proserpine to Shute Harbour. The main bus station is near the city center and the main beach.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hanoi. The best ways to get around town include motorbike taxis, cyclos, regular taxis, and local buses.

Is Hanoi or Airlie Beach a more walkable city?

Airlie Beach is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Airlie Beach is a very walkable town. The town itself is walkable, but the surrounding area is hilly and requires a car.

Hanoi is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are best explored on foot, but you'll also find crowded areas with motorbikes, food stalls, and cars, so come prepared for a bit of a thrill. Most visitors spend the majority of their time in the Old Quarter, which is compact and dense.

For even more information, also check out Is Hanoi Worth Visiting? and Is Airlie Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Airlie Beach or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

Both Hanoi and Airlie Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Airlie Beach than in Hanoi. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Hanoi, and 4-7 days is enough time in Airlie Beach.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hanoi than Airlie Beach 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 Hanoi.

One day in Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

Each neighborhood in Hanoi has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Airlie Beach, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this paradise destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

Hanoi is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Airlie Beach. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

Each neighborhood in Hanoi has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Airlie Beach is a fun place to experience. In Airlie Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

Hanoi is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Airlie Beach, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this laid back destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Hanoi or Airlie Beach?

Airlie Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hanoi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hanoi or Airlie Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Airlie Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hanoi is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 29°C (84°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.

Should I visit Hanoi or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Airlie Beach. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hanoi is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hanoi usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Hanoi is the dry season.

Should I visit Hanoi or Airlie Beach in the Winter?

Both Airlie Beach and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Hanoi is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hanoi in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.

In January, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin July. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hanoi or Airlie Beach in the Spring?

Both Airlie Beach and Hanoi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Hanoi is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 24°C (75°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets more rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Hanoi. May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.

Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Hanoi