A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Bali for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hat Yai or Bali?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Bali 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.

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a colorful, cultural, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Hat Yai travel costs.

Bali

Bali is a stunning, tropical, and lush island. You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Bali travel costs.

Hat Yai and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Bali?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bali than Hat Yai, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bali is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Hat Yai is known for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Bali is more touristy than Hat Yai and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also home to Pura Lempuyang. Hat Yai is popular for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples.

How is Hat Yai different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hat Yai or Bali?

Hat Yai is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Hat Yai offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hat Yai or Bali? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Hat Yai and Bali offer a number of amazing restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Hat Yai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Eating is really what you do in this city. There is amazing street food, impressive floating restaurants, and authentic cuisine that locals and visitors alike enjoy. The dishes include lots of seafood and some Chinese influences.

Eat your way through Bali, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Is Hat Yai or Bali Better for Nightlife?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Hat Yai. It's a big city, so there are plenty of clubs and bars where you can party late into the night.

Is Hat Yai or Bali Better for Resorts?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Hat Yai is not a resort destination.

Bali is a world class resort vacation destination. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Hat Yai is not a resort destination.

Is Hat Yai or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a must-visit destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hat Yai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Bali is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Hat Yai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hat Yai or Bali Better for Beaches?

Bali is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

Bali is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

Is Hat Yai or Bali Better for Hiking?

Bali is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Bali?

Both Hat Yai and Bali are superb shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hat Yai. It's a large commercial hub in southern Thailand and many visitors come specifically for the shopping. There are many markets in town and places to buy everything from local products to trendy clothes.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Is Hat Yai or Bali More Beautiful?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Hat Yai is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Hat Yai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hat Yai or Bali Better for Families?

Bali is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Bali is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Hat Yai is not always a place people visit with their families. There are some play places for the kids and kid-friendly meals are available in many places. There are also some animal farms and parks near town where kids and adults can enjoy a natural setting.

Is Hat Yai or Bali Better for Couples?

Bali is a must-visit destination for couples. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for romance.

Bali is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Hat Yai is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Most people pass through the city on their way to other places, but if you chose to linger you'll enjoy amazing food and some interesting activities around town.

Is Hat Yai or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bali is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Hat Yai is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are hostels in the city, as well as cheap hotels, but the backpacker vibe isn't the same as what you get in other Thai cities. If you want more authenticity, then this is your place.

Is Hat Yai or Bali Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bali is a island with good options for its public transit. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hat Yai. The easiest and cheapest way to get around is by tuk tuk or motorbike taxi.

Is Hat Yai or Bali a more walkable city?

Hat Yai and Bali both are decent when exploring on foot.

Hat Yai is generally not very walkable. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Bali is generally not a very walkable city. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Hat Yai Worth Visiting? and Is Bali Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bali or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Bali?

Hat Yai and Bali both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bali than Hat Yai because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hat Yai, and 7-14 days is enough time in Bali.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Hat Yai 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 Bali.

One day in Hat Yai or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Hat Yai. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Hat Yai or Bali?

Hat Yai is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Hat Yai or Bali?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Hat Yai. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bali is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Hat Yai or Bali?

The colorful city of Hat Yai offers nightlife and food. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Bali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Bali, 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.

When is the best time to visit Hat Yai or Bali?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Bali in the Summer?

Both Bali and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Bali is April to September. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Bali. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Bali receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Bali. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives less sunshine than Bali during summer. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 253 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Bali. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 29°C (83°F), and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Hat Yai or Bali in the Autumn?

Both Bali and Hat Yai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai. October to March is the rainy season in Bali. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Bali. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Bali receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Hat Yai often gets less sunshine than Bali. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 266 hours of full sun.

Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Bali in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Hat Yai or Bali in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Bali. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Bali. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Bali receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Bali during winter. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Bali. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hat Yai in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Bali averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Hat Yai or Bali in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Bali. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year.

Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. May to December in Hat Yai is the rainy season. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season. Hat Yai usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bali. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bali receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In the spring, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Bali. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 226 hours of full sun.

In April, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Bali. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 30°C (85°F), and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Typical Weather for Bali and Hat Yai