A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atami vs. Koh Phi Phi for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Koh Phi Phi 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.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a stunning, beautiful, and rustic island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Atami and Koh Phi Phi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Phi Phi than Atami, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Phi Phi is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Atami is more popular for its museums and shopping. Koh Phi Phi is more touristy than Atami and is known for its stunningly beautiful beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and wild booze cruises. Also, Koh Phi Phi is famous for Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Atami different from Koh Phi Phi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

Atami is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Atami offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Koh Phi Phi offers a few options for museum-goers. It's an island paradise with world class beaches and stunning natural beauty, but if you're looking for museums, temples, and culture, then you'll likely want to head farther north to Northern Thailand.

Is the Food Better in Atami or Koh Phi Phi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Atami and Koh Phi Phi.

Atami has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Koh Phi Phi area. Most dishes feature seafood, and you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants around Tonsai Village. There are also restaurants dotting the way to Long Beach. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, or a combination of an indoor/outdoor setting. Tropical fruit is also abundant on the island and adds to that tropical paradise atmosphere.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi Better for Nightlife?

Koh Phi Phi is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Koh Phi Phi has a large number of nightlife venues. Despite its smaller size, there is still a party vibe and tons of nightlife on the island. Backpackers have long flocked to this island, building on the reputation it earned from movies like "The Beach." Booze cruises and all night beach parties are the norm here, so it won't be hard to find a party that lasts until sunrise.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi Better for Resorts?

Koh Phi Phi is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Atami is not a resort destination.

Koh Phi Phi is a world class resort vacation destination. Despite it's popularity with backpackers and small size, this island also has some of Thailand's most luxurious resorts. Head to Long Beach or Laem Tong to appreciate the quieter side of the island.

Atami is not a resort destination.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Phi Phi is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Phi Phi is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The dramatic limestone cliffs and colorful coral make this a top scuba diving and snorkeling destination in Thailand. There are countless vendors who offer scuba diving or snorkeling trips from the island. You might even see sharks, sea turtles, or seahorses during your trip. Head to the reef at dusk for the best chance of seeing black tip reef sharks.

Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi Better for Beaches?

Koh Phi Phi is renowned for the beache. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Koh Phi Phi is considered to be a world-class beach destination. This island has some of the most dramatic beauty in Thailand and the beaches will not disappoint. Although it's usually referred to as an island, Koh Phi Phi is actually a small archipelago with Koh Phi Phi Don being the only inhabited island. Nearby Koh Phi Phi Leh is famous as the filming place of the movie "The Beach" (which you'll hear playing at hotels around the island every night). The beaches are beautiful with white sand and clear water. It truly is a tropical paradise.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi Better for Hiking?

Koh Phi Phi is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Phi Phi. With its dramatic cliffs, this area has beautiful, but challenging hikes that take you to stunning viewpoints. The dramatic photos that you see of the islands often require a hike, but the reward at the end is well worth it.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

Atami is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atami. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Koh Phi Phi has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. Shopping is limited on the island but you'll find a few souvenir shops with trinkets that you can purchase. Because it's an island, you can expect prices to be high.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi Better for Families?

Atami is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Atami offers lots of family activities. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Koh Phi Phi is not the most family-friendly destination. This island is on the smaller side and it has a remote tropical island atmosphere. The best side of the island for families is the north end where you'll find the quietest and most beautiful beaches. It's best to avoid the area around Tonsai which has the highest concentration of backpackers and day trippers.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi Better for Couples?

Koh Phi Phi is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Koh Phi Phi is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Stunning beaches, dramatic landscapes, excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and a remote tropical atmosphere make this is a great place for couples and honeymooners. Head to the quieter north side of the island where you'll find the better resorts and less backpackers, as well as the best beaches.

Atami is a good town for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Phi Phi is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Koh Phi Phi is extremely popular for backpackers. Most people visit this island as a day trip, but for those who linger, they'll be rewarded with dramatic landscapes and beautiful beaches. Most backpackers hang out around Tonsai where things are the cheapest, but the quality can also be very poor.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Atami and Koh Phi Phi.

Atami has some public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

You'll find some public transit in Koh Phi Phi, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are water taxis and private boats that you can hire.

Is Atami or Koh Phi Phi a more walkable city?

Atami and Koh Phi Phi are notable when it comes to walkability.

Atami is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Koh Phi Phi is a somewhat walkable town. You can't walk all of the way around the island because of the cliffs, but you can walk from Tonsai to Long Beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Phi Phi or Atami?

How long in Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atami and Koh Phi Phi. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than in Atami. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 2-3 days is enough time in Koh Phi Phi.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than Atami 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 Phi Phi.

One day in Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic town of Atami. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Koh Phi Phi, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this beautiful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the overlooked destination of Atami. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Phi Phi. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

The overlooked town of Atami offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Koh Phi Phi is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of Koh Phi Phi. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atami. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife and food around the rustic destination of Koh Phi Phi. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

Atami has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Atami and Koh Phi Phi, 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 Atami or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Should I visit Atami or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Atami and Koh Phi Phi. Many travelers come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Atami is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi in the summer. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. Atami usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during summer. Atami gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Atami usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Atami gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atami or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Atami as well as Koh Phi Phi. Many visitors come to Atami in the autumn for the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

In the autumn, Atami is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atami in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Atami often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Atami gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Atami usually gets less rain in October than Koh Phi Phi. Atami gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Phi Phi is the dry season. May to November in Koh Phi Phi is the rainy season.

Should I visit Atami or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Atami are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Atami is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Atami average around 5°C (42°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Phi Phi. Atami usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during winter. Atami gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Atami usually receives more rain than Koh Phi Phi. Atami gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Phi Phi is December to March.

Should I visit Atami or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Atami during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

Atami is much colder than Koh Phi Phi in the spring. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Atami often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Atami gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun.

Koh Phi Phi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. Atami usually gets more rain in April than Koh Phi Phi. Atami gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year. May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Atami