A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Agra vs. Koh Tao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Agra or Koh Tao?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Agra or Koh Tao, 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.

Where Should I go: Agra or Koh Tao?

Agra

In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.

While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.

Koh Tao

With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.

This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.

Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Agra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Agra is $44, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Agra and Koh Tao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Agra $16
    Koh Tao $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Agra $32
    Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Agra and Koh Tao

Looking for a hotel in Agra or Koh Tao? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Agra


Hotels in Koh Tao


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Agra Hotel Prices and Koh Tao Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Agra $10
    Koh Tao $8.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Delhi: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Agra: $3,200
  • Private transfer Agra to Varnashi: $230
  • Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
  • Private transfer from Agra to Varanasi by Car: $161
  • Private One Way Transfer From Agra To Udaipur: $150
  • Budget Transfer by Car from Agra to Varanasi Hotel: $146
  • From Jaipur Transfer via Visiting Abhaneri: $144
  • Agra to Delhi airport transfer by air-conditioned car: $130
  • A Taste of Agra for Foodies with Private Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer Agra to Varanasi by Car: $130
  • Private Transfers Agra To Lucknow Drop: $123
  • Private Transfer To Jaipur From Agra Via Fatehpur Sikri And Abhaneri: $120

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:


  • Motorbike Rental
    $5.18
  • Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry
    $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Agra or Koh Tao?

Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Agra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Agra $16
    Koh Tao $9.21
Typical Food Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $2.15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Agra best Cooking class after Taj Mahal: $6.00
  • Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk: $12
  • Home Hosted Luch or dinner by Indian local Family: $18
  • Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
  • Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra Including Lunch or Dinner: $20
  • Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $22
  • Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family: $23
  • Old City Food Tour with Local Guide and Tastings: $23
  • The Spirit of Agra - Old Market Walking and Food Tour: $26
  • Cooking classes Tour Including Pickup And Dropping To Hotel: $28
  • Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $30
  • Agra's best cooking classes: $31

Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:


  • Sit Down Lunch (for One)
    $5.46
  • Breakfast
    $4.09
  • Casual Breakfast (for Two)
    $3.27
  • Fancy Dinner (for Two)
    $13
  • Pancake
    $1.91
  • American Breakfast (for Two)
    $7.64
  • Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)
    $7.36

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Agra $20
    Koh Tao $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra

For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entry to the Red Fort for Two
    $7.18
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $18

Tours and Activities in Agra

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.

  • Agra Local Tour with Taj Mahal : $30
  • Jaipur Overnight Tour from Agra : $300
  • Private 6 Hours: Agra Temples and Spiritual Sites Tour: $38
  • Private Agra Local Sightseeing Tour: $47
  • Private Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour: $42
  • Taj Mahal Sunrise & Agra Fort Private Tour - All Inclusive: $21
  • 06 Hours Agra City Tour - Private: $85
  • 08 Days Taj Mahal Tour With Hemis National Park: $552
  • 11-Hour Agra Day Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal : $20
  • 2 Days Agra Tour with Fatehpur Sikri & Abhaneri From Jaipur: $234
  • 2 Days Tour of Taj Mahal and More - Agra Beyond Taj Mahal : $168
  • 2 Days: Taj Mahal & Jaipur Sightseeing Tour with Breakfast: $52

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao

For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Kayak Rental (One Hour)
    $6.82
  • Snorkel Rental
    $2.73
  • Kayak and Snorkel (2)
    $2.73

Tours and Activities in Koh Tao

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.

  • 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
  • Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $277
  • Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
  • Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
  • Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
  • Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
  • Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
  • Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
  • Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
  • Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
  • Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Agra $9.63
    Koh Tao $7.14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $1.77
  • Bottle of Wine
    $10


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

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


Which is Bigger, Agra or Koh Tao?

Agra has a larger population, and is about 1030 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Agra and Koh Tao, 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.