A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Fiordland National Park for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Phuket or Fiordland National Park?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Fiordland National Park, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Phuket

Phuket is a stunning, activity-filled, and energetic resort island. Phuket is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Phuket travel costs.

Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park is a iconic, breathtaking, and world famous national park. The famous beauty of Fiordland National Park is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking. See Fiordland National Park travel costs.

Phuket and Fiordland National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Fiordland National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Phuket. Although Phuket and Fiordland National Park are popular destinations, Phuket has more sights and attractions for tourists. Phuket is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Fiordland National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Fiordland National Park and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. It is also well known for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Fiordland National Park is famous for its world renowned hiking trails and stunning natural environments.

How is Phuket different from Fiordland National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Fiordland National Park and Phuket. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Fiordland National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Phuket is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Fiordland National Park is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Phuket. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Fiordland National Park. Te Anau is a town that serves as the basecamp for the park, and there are a range of restaurants and cafes there. Once you're in the park the dining options are limited, so it's best to come prepared with your own food supplies.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is a world-class destination for nightlife. However, Fiordland National Park is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

People head to Phuket just to party. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Fiordland National Park. There are few amenities in the park, so bring your own drinks and supplies.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park Better for Resorts?

Phuket is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Fiordland National Park is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Phuket is a perfect choice. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Fiordland National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Fiordland National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Phuket. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Fiordland National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park Better for Beaches?

Phuket is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Fiordland National Park is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Phuket is a very popular vacation destination. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Fiordland National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park Better for Hiking?

Fiordland National Park is an amazing national park to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Fiordland National Park draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The park has world class hiking, and this is the main activity for most visitors. There are three main trails in the park, as well as many shorter hikes that you can do. Milford Track is probably the most famous hike, and it is often considered one of the best hikes in the world. Routeburn Track is a multi-day trek that passes through a variety of environments and landscapes. Other popular trails include Kepler Track, Hollyford Track, and Dusky Track.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Fiordland National Park?

Phuket is very good for shopping. However, Fiordland National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Phuket. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Fiordland National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park More Beautiful?

Fiordland National Park is an amazing national park to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Fiordland National Park is one of the main draws. This is one of the most beautiful parks in New Zealand. It has striking mountains, dramatic fjords, and pristine beech forests.

Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It is a mix of beautiful beaches and tourist crowds. The island is very developed with a combination of 5 star hotels, souvenir shops, and tour companies. Because of the many excursions leaving from the island, many visitors find it a makes a good base for exploring the area.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park Better for Families?

Fiordland National Park is an amazing national park to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Fiordland National Park is an amazing family-friendly national park to visit. It's the largest national park in New Zealand, and it makes a great playground for the whole family. It's the perfect place to go for a hike or learn about the natural world. There are dolphins and seals, waterfalls, and glowworm caves. There are also fun adventures like kayaking and jet skiing.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park Better for Couples?

Fiordland National Park is an amazing national park to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Fiordland National Park has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples who love the great outdoors will be in heaven in this stunning national park. There's gorgeous scenery, romantic boat trips, and world class hikes that are not to be missed.

Phuket is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fiordland National Park is an amazing national park to visit for backpackers. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Fiordland National Park. As the largest national park in New Zealand, this is a world class backpackers destination and it is filled with amazing multi-day treks and once in a lifetime experiences.

Phuket is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. While it gets its share of backpackers, many visitors complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Phuket is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Fiordland National Park is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Phuket has some public transit options. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Fiordland National Park. Public transit is basically nonexistent in the park and there are few roads as well. Even so, having your own car is important as it gives you the flexibility to reach the sections that you want to visit.

Is Phuket or Fiordland National Park a more walkable city?

Phuket is very good for its walkability. However, Fiordland National Park is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Phuket is somewhat walkable. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

Fiordland National Park is generally not very walkable. There are trails throughout the park and it's possible to access it on foot via Routeburn Track from Mt. Aspiring National Park.

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Fiordland National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Fiordland National Park or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Fiordland National Park?

Phuket and Fiordland National Park both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phuket than Fiordland National Park because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 3-6 days is enough time in Fiordland National Park.

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

Couples should spend more time in Phuket than Fiordland National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Phuket that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Phuket than Fiordland National Park 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 Phuket.

One day in Phuket or Fiordland National Park?

You'll find nightlife and food around the stunning resort island of Phuket. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Fiordland National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Fiordland National Park?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Fiordland National Park is a great place to explore. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Fiordland National Park?

Phuket is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fiordland National Park. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Fiordland National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the stunning destination of Fiordland National Park. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Fiordland National Park Expensive?.