A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Nara for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Phuket or Nara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Nara, 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 party-hard, stunning, and activity-filled resort island. Phuket is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Phuket travel costs.

Nara

Nara is a natural, historic, and cultural city. Nara is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Nara travel costs.

Phuket and Nara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Nara?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Phuket than Nara. While Nara is larger than Phuket, Phuket has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Phuket is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Nara is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, hiking, and shopping. Phuket is more touristy than Nara and is known for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Also, Phuket is famous for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Nara is well known for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Phuket different from Nara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phuket or Nara?

Nara is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nara can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Nara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Phuket is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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."

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Phuket or Nara Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Phuket is a world class party destination. 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.

Nara has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

Is Phuket or Nara Better for Resorts?

Phuket is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Nara is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Phuket is a great 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.

Nara is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Nara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

Nara is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Nara Better for Beaches?

Phuket is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Nara is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Phuket. 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.

Nara is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Nara Better for its Old Town?

Nara is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Nara to see the old town. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Is Phuket or Nara Better for Hiking?

Nara is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Nara. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Nara?

Nara is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Nara is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Phuket or Nara More Beautiful?

Phuket and Nara are somewhat similar when it comes to the notable scenery.

Phuket is a beautiful place to visit, too. 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.

Nara offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The city is filled with green space, parks, and natural areas. You'll find deer roaming freely and tranquil lawns where you can relax.

Is Phuket or Nara Better for Families?

Nara is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Nara is a very kid-friendly city. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

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 Nara Better for Couples?

Phuket and Nara are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Phuket frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Nara is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Is Phuket or Nara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Phuket and Nara are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Phuket. 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.

Nara is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

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

Nara is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Nara can get you around easily. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

While Phuket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is Phuket or Nara a more walkable city?

Nara is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Nara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nara or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Nara?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Phuket or Nara to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phuket than Nara 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 1-2 days is enough time in Nara.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nara than Phuket 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 Nara.

One day in Phuket or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Phuket. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Phuket or Nara?

Phuket is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Nara is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the energetic destination of Phuket. This resort island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nara. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning resort island of Phuket. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Nara. This city 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Nara, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Nara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nara 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 Nara.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Nara?

Nara has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Nara, 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 Phuket or Nara?

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

Should I visit Phuket or Nara in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Nara in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Nara during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nara receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Nara. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Phuket or Nara in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Nara. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Phuket is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nara averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Nara. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nara. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Nara. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season.

Should I visit Phuket or Nara in the Winter?

Both Nara and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nara this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nara in the winter. In January, Phuket is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Nara during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Nara. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Phuket is December to March.

Should I visit Phuket or Nara in the Spring?

Both Nara and Phuket during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Nara for the natural beauty.

Phuket is much warmer than Nara in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the spring, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Nara. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun.

Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Nara. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Typical Weather for Nara and Phuket