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

Should you visit Bandung or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Should I visit Bandung or Koh Phi Phi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Bandung or Koh Phi Phi?

Bandung

Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.

Koh Phi Phi

The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Bandung?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $40, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $72. 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 Bandung and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bandung $21
    Koh Phi Phi $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bandung $42
    Koh Phi Phi $80
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Koh Phi Phi

Looking for a hotel in Bandung or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Bandung


Hotels in Koh Phi Phi


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: Bandung Hotel Prices and Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bandung $5.76
    Koh Phi Phi $6.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung

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

  • Private Transfer from Ujung Genteng Sukabumi to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $210
  • Private Transfer from Ujung Genteng Sukabumi to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $210
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Kesenden: $168
  • Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Garut Regency to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $168
  • Private Transfer from Pejambon to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $168
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Sunyaragi: $168
  • Private Transfer from Pekalangan to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $168
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Jagasatru: $168
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Larangan: $168
  • Private Transfer from Larangan to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $168
  • Private Transfer from Kesenden to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $168
  • Private Transfer from Kertajati Airport (KJT) to Kalijaga: $168

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi

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


  • Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)
    $15
  • Longboat Taxi
    $2.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi

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

  • Superfast Transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi by Arisa Speed Boat: $28
  • Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $25
  • One-Way Departure Transfer from Phi Phi Island (Speedboat) to Phuket Airport : $52
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Koh Phi Phi?

Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi and Bandung 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
    Bandung $14
    Koh Phi Phi $11

Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi

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


  • Crepe
    $1.64
  • Sit Down Lunch
    $9.27
  • Casual Lunch
    $5.73
  • Coconut Donut
    $0.27
  • Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)
    $11
  • Sit Down Dinner
    $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bandung $5.67
    Koh Phi Phi $45

Tours and Activities in Bandung

For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Backpacker Style of the Java-Madura-Bali Island Tour 12 Days: $1,544
  • Bandung One Day Tour Package: $160
  • Kawah Putih Private Tour and Angklung Performance: $45
  • Volcano Tour with Hot Springs Swim: $135
  • Volcano, Hot Spring, Mud Bathing, & Lake Tour: $64
  • Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $50
  • Bogor ,west Java Tour: $50
  • Day Trip White Crater Ciwidey Bandung All In - Tour Guide: $70
  • Full-Day Tour to Bandung White Crater,Lake and Tea Plantation: $82
  • Innova Reborn Tour driver car rental in Bandung: $64
  • Java Bali Private Tour Package with Driver as Guide: $468
  • Java Classic Overland Tour: $1,332

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi

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


  • Kayak Rental
    $8.18

Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi

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

  • 6 Hours Private Tour Around Phi Phi Islands From Phi Phi: $160
  • Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57
  • Early Bird Phi Phi and 4 Islands Tour by Speedboat from Krabi: $97
  • Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $13
  • Half Day & Sunset Phi Phi Island Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57
  • Half Day Tour Around Phi Phi Islands By Private Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $107
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
  • Maya Bay Sunset and Plankton Swimming Tour: $69
  • PHI PHI ISLAND - Sunrise Trip From Phi Phi Don By Phi Phi Local Tour: $53
  • Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $27
  • Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $18
  • Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bandung $3.46
    Koh Phi Phi $5.66

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi

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


  • Mojito Bucket
    $14
  • Banana Daiquiri
    $5.46


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

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


Which is Bigger, Bandung or Koh Phi Phi?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 1700 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Bandung 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.