A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Airlie Beach vs. Koh Tao for Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Hiking

Should you visit Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Airlie Beach and Koh Tao. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is a slow-paced, idyllic, and paradise town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a mellow, beautiful, and tropical island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Airlie Beach and Koh Tao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Tao. Although Airlie Beach and Koh Tao are popular destinations, Koh Tao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Tao is very popular for its food and nightlife, while Airlie Beach attracts visitors for its resorts and hiking. Airlie Beach is famous for its tours and transportation that visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. Koh Tao is famous for its affordable scuba diving courses, laid-back island vibe, popularity with backpackers, and stunning island hikes. It is also well known for Mango Bay Viewpoint.

How is Airlie Beach different from Koh Tao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

Neither Airlie Beach or Koh Tao offer quality museums and landmarks.

Airlie Beach offers a few options for museum-goers. Oceanfront beauty is what this town is all about, so you won't find much is the form of museums and manmade landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Tao. It's a small island that is all about beachfront beauty. Most visitors enjoy the island's outdoor paradise setting, but on those rainy afternoons, there really are very few indoor activities or temples to visit.

Is the Food Better in Airlie Beach or Koh Tao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koh Tao is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Koh Tao makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a huge ex-pat community on the island, and with them they bring a variety of international cuisines. There are also local establishments that sell the typical Thai dishes with lots of seafood, curries, and noodle dishes. It's fun to enjoy a beachside restaurant that lets you sit right by the water looking off into a tropical paradise.

Airlie Beach has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a good selection of restaurants in town that offer everything from freshly caught local seafood to fine dining or casual. Try to pick a place with a view.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao Better for Nightlife?

Koh Tao is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Koh Tao offers plenty to do in the evening. While most people head for the island for its scuba diving, when the sun goes down everyone heads to the beach to party. The island has a very active nightlife scene with its own Full Moon Parties, dance clubs, beachside bars, and more. Head to Sairee Beach for the most active nightlife and entertainment options.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Airlie Beach. The town has a number of nightlife venues that include DJ hosted parties, beachfront cocktail lounges, and mellow local bars.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao Better for Resorts?

Airlie Beach is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its resorts.

Airlie Beach offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There's everything from posh resorts and luxury hotels to family-friendly campgrounds. There are also hostels that cater to the budget crowd.

In Koh Tao, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. While it's mostly famous as a diving destination, there are also a diversity of resorts, from luxury to affordable, available on the island. The beaches are beautiful and many resorts offer scuba diving packages as well.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find world-class places where you can go scuba diving or snorkeling in Airlie Beach and Koh Tao.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Airlie Beach. You can't snorkel right off the shore because the water is murky and mucky, but there are excursions that will take you to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many day cruises that will take you out on the reef to several sights where you may see beautiful coral, sea turtles, or even reef sharks.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Koh Tao a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The island is Thailand's most famous scuba diving destination for it's affordable certifications and prolific dive shops. There are a variety of dive sites near the island, but with fame and popularity come challenges. The coral and sealife is feeling the pressure of the high number of tourists, and the reefs show their damage. But the training you receive here is affordable and well-established.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao Better for Beaches?

Airlie Beach and Koh Tao both offer world-class beaches.

Airlie Beach offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Near town there are world class beaches that range from secluded and idyllic to those lined with luxury resorts. For an escape, head to Hideaway Bay or Dingo Beach. If you don't want to leave town, there's also Airlie Beach, which is right off the Main Street. You likely won't want to swim here, but you can enjoy a picnic. Whatever beach you chose, do confirm that there's a stinger net.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Tao. The white sand beaches have a mellow vibe with beautiful blue waters. This is a true tropical paradise with beachside cafes, easy snorkeling, and warm water. The beaches range from quiet and isolated to high energy and vibrant.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao Better for Hiking?

Airlie Beach is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Known for its hiking, Airlie Beach draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. You'll find many incredible hiking trails in the area. Conway National Park is a great place to hike through the rainforest and Conway State Forest is another nice spot.

Koh Tao is a popular spot for hiking. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the inland beauty of the island. There are paths that take you through the jungle covered land to viewpoints and remote areas. Many paths are rustic and not always well maintained so it's helpful to ask a local for directions beforehand.

Is the Shopping Better in Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

Both Airlie Beach and Koh Tao are nice shopping destinations.

Airlie Beach is a great destination for shopping. Head to the town's main street for your typical souvenir shops and holiday stores.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Koh Tao. The main beach areas of Mae Haad, Sairee, and Chalok Baan Kao have the highest concentration of clothing and dive equipment shops. Because it's an island with limited access, prices can be a bit high.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao Better for Families?

Airlie Beach is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Airlie Beach is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy playing in the Airlie Beach Lagoon, visiting the markets, or hanging out at the local beaches or playgrounds. If you're hoping to swim in the ocean, be very aware of the season and the conditions.

Koh Tao is a family-friendly place to visit. The island is popular for its affordable scuba diving certifications, so there are a number of options for families with older kids who'd like to get certified. It's also a more laid back and smaller island than some nearby places, so it's possible to find quiet beaches where your family can relax. Some of the quieter beaches include Sai Nuan and Ao Luek. You'll still find a large number of backpackers on the island, but there's a more chill atmosphere with most visitors focused on scuba diving and exploring.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao Better for Couples?

Airlie Beach is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for couples.

Airlie Beach has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples often use this as a gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands. The dining scene is good and there are countless outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. There are also many different resorts in the area.

Koh Tao is a very popular place to visit for couples. This laid back island offers a relaxing honeymoon destination for couples who want to learn to scuba dive and enjoy a bit of tropical paradise. There are beachside restaurants, beautiful blue waters, white sand, and everything you need for your own piece of paradise.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Tao is very popular for backpackers. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Tao is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The island is an oasis for backpackers who want to enjoy the mellow island life, learn to scuba dive cheaply, and have fun at a beachside party. There are plenty of affordable places to stay and countless opportunities to meet other backpackers. The island is also well connected to other nearby islands.

Many backpackers visit Airlie Beach. If you're hoping to visit the Whitsunday Islands, then is a good place to base yourself as a backpacker. It has a decent selection of hostels and there are a number of restaurants and other dining options.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Airlie Beach is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Airlie Beach offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a public bus that runs from Proserpine to Shute Harbour. The main bus station is near the city center and the main beach.

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Tao. You can rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore the island. There are also taxis and taxi boats available.

Is Airlie Beach or Koh Tao a more walkable city?

Airlie Beach and Koh Tao both are great when exploring on foot.

Airlie Beach is very walkable. The town itself is walkable, but the surrounding area is hilly and requires a car.

Koh Tao is a very walkable town. The island is smaller than many islands in Thailand, and the small towns are usually no more than 5 kilometers apart. It's also possible to walk around most of the small towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Airlie Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Tao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Tao or Airlie Beach?

How long in Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

Both Airlie Beach and Koh Tao have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Airlie Beach has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Airlie Beach than Koh Tao. In general, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Airlie Beach, and 2-7 days is enough time in Koh Tao.

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

Couples should spend more time in Airlie Beach than Koh Tao. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Airlie Beach that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Tao than Airlie Beach 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 Koh Tao.

One day in Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

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

In Koh Tao, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this mellow island offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

In Airlie Beach, 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.

Koh Tao is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

Airlie Beach 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 Airlie Beach has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

In Koh Tao, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this laid back destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Airlie Beach. In Airlie Beach, 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.

Koh Tao is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.

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

When is the best time to visit Airlie Beach or Koh Tao?

Airlie Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Airlie Beach or Koh Tao in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Airlie Beach as well as Koh Tao. Many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.

In the summer, Airlie Beach is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Airlie Beach in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Airlie Beach this time of the year. In the summer, Airlie Beach often gets more sunshine than Koh Taoin July. Airlie Beach gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Airlie Beach usually gets more rain in January than Koh Taoin July. Airlie Beach gets 331 mm (13 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Airlie Beach or Koh Tao in the Autumn?

Both Koh Tao and Airlie Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Airlie Beach is generally around the same temperature as Koh Taoin October. Daily temperatures in Airlie Beach average around 23°C (73°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. Airlie Beach usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during autumn. Airlie Beach gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. In April, Airlie Beach usually receives less rain than Koh Taoin October. Airlie Beach gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Koh Tao is October and November.

Should I visit Airlie Beach or Koh Tao in the Winter?

Both Koh Tao and Airlie Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.

Airlie Beach is cooler than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Airlie Beach averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in January.

In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Airlie Beach. In the winter, Airlie Beach often gets less sunshine than Koh Taoin January. Airlie Beach gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.

Airlie Beach usually gets less rain in July than Koh Taoin January. Airlie Beach gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao.

Should I visit Airlie Beach or Koh Tao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Airlie Beach and Koh Tao. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Airlie Beach is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Airlie Beach in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. In Airlie Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. Airlie Beach usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during spring. Airlie Beach gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Airlie Beach usually receives less rain than Koh Taoin April. Airlie Beach gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Airlie Beach