A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Byron Bay vs. Koh Phi Phi for Resorts, Beaches, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a mellow, vegan-friendly, and carefree town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a remote, tropical, and dramatic island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Byron Bay and Koh Phi Phi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Phi Phi than Byron Bay, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Phi Phi is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Byron Bay is more popular for its museums & sights, shopping, and small town charm. Koh Phi Phi is more touristy than Byron Bay and is popular 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. Byron Bay is well known for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals.

How is Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Byron Bay is adequate for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

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 Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Byron Bay and Koh Phi Phi offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Byron Bay. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

Koh Phi Phi is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi Better for Nightlife?

Both Byron Bay and Koh Phi Phi are excellent when it comes to partying.

Byron Bay offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

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.

Is Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi Better for Resorts?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for its resorts. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its luxury resorts.

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.

There are plenty of resorts in Byron Bay to choose from. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

Is Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Byron Bay 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.

Byron Bay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi Better for Beaches?

Both Byron Bay and Koh Phi Phi are considered to be terrific beach destinations.

Byron Bay is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.

Koh Phi Phi offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Is Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi Better for Hiking?

Koh Phi Phi is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Koh Phi Phi is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Byron Bay offers some nice hiking trails. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Is the Shopping Better in Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi?

Byron Bay is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Byron Bay is well-known for its shopping. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

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 Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi Better for Families?

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

Byron Bay offers lots of family activities. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

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 Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi Better for Couples?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Byron Bay makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Is Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Koh Phi Phi. 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 budget travelers and backpackers visit Byron Bay. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

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

Koh Phi Phi is a island with good options for its public transit. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Koh Phi Phi has a few public transit options. There are water taxis and private boats that you can hire.

Public transit is mostly limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi a more walkable city?

Byron Bay and Koh Phi Phi both are notable when exploring on foot.

Byron Bay is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

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 Byron Bay Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Phi Phi or Byron Bay?

How long in Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Byron Bay and Koh Phi Phi. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Byron Bay than in Koh Phi Phi. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Byron Bay, and 2-3 days is enough time in Koh Phi Phi.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than Byron Bay. 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the Bohemian town of Byron Bay. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the island of Koh Phi Phi. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxed destination of Byron Bay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the tropical destination of Koh Phi Phi. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the mellow town of Byron Bay. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the tropical island of Koh Phi Phi. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Byron Bay. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Koh Phi Phi is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

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

Which is Bigger, Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi?

Byron Bay has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi?

Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Byron Bay as well as Koh Phi Phi. Many travelers come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

Byron Bay is cooler than Koh Phi Phi in the summer. The daily temperature in Byron Bay averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Byron Bay receives a lot of rain in the summer. Byron Bay usually gets less rain in January than Koh Phi Phiin July. Byron Bay gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Byron Bay are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Byron Bay in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Byron Bay is cooler than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Byron Bay in April average around 20°C (69°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. In April, Byron Bay usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phiin October. Byron Bay gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Phi Phi is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November.

Should I visit Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Byron Bay during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Byron Bay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

In July, Byron Bay is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phiin January. Daily temperatures in Byron Bay average around 14°C (58°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Byron Bay usually gets more rain in July than Koh Phi Phiin January. Byron Bay gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi.

Should I visit Byron Bay or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Byron Bay and Koh Phi Phi. The spring months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Byron Bay is much colder than Koh Phi Phi in the spring. The daily temperature in Byron Bay averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Byron Bay usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phiin April. Byron Bay gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Byron Bay