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

Should you visit Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise 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 cultural, lively, and festive city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Hat Yai travel costs.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a high energy, thrilling, and active city. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Surfers Paradise travel costs.

Hat Yai and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Hat Yai and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations, Surfers Paradise has more sights and attractions for tourists. Surfers Paradise is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Hat Yai attracts visitors for its food and big city activities. Surfers Paradise is more touristy than Hat Yai and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also well known for the SkyPoint Observation Deck. Hat Yai is famous for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples.

How is Hat Yai different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Surfers Paradise. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

Hat Yai is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

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

Hat Yai is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Hat Yai is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Surfers Paradise makes for a great culinary experience. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

Is Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise is a world class party destination. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

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

Surfers Paradise is a world class resort vacation destination. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Hat Yai is not a resort destination.

Is Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Surfers Paradise is notable for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hat Yai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Hat Yai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

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

Surfers Paradise is considered to be a world-class beach destination. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Hat Yai is not a beach destination.

Is Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Surfers Paradise is a city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Hat Yai is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Surfers Paradise is a world class destination for shoppers. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Surfers Paradise is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

Surfers Paradise is notable for couples. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for romance.

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place to visit for couples. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Surfers Paradise is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Surfers Paradise has a few public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

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 Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

Surfers Paradise is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for its walkability.

Surfers Paradise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise?

Both Hat Yai and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Surfers Paradise than in Hat Yai. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hat Yai, and 3-7 days is enough time in Surfers Paradise.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and shopping around the festive destination of Hat Yai. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Surfers Paradise, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city 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 Surfers Paradise?

You'll find shopping and museums around the colorful city of Hat Yai. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Surfers Paradise, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Surfers Paradise?

Hat Yai is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Surfers Paradise is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Surfers Paradise has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise?

Hat Yai is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the food. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Surfers Paradise. In Surfers Paradise, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hat Yai is in Asia and Surfers Paradise 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 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise?

Hat Yai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hat Yai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise and Hat Yai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hat Yai is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hat Yai. In the summer, Hat Yai often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein January. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In the autumn, Hat Yai is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hat Yai in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Surfers Paradise. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In the winter, Hat Yai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein July. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.

Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the spring for the beaches.

Hat Yai is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 30°C (85°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradise during spring. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In April, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Hat Yai is January to April. The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Hat Yai