A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Koh Phi Phi for Couples, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Canberra or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Should I visit Canberra 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.

Canberra

Canberra is a cultural, diverse, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the hiking, 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Canberra and Koh Phi Phi: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Phi Phi than Canberra, 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 Canberra is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities. Koh Phi Phi is more touristy than Canberra 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. Canberra is well known for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

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

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

Canberra is great for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Canberra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

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 Canberra or Koh Phi Phi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Canberra has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

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 Canberra or Koh Phi Phi Better for Nightlife?

Koh Phi Phi is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Koh Phi Phi has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Canberra or Koh Phi Phi Better for Resorts?

Koh Phi Phi is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Canberra is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Koh Phi Phi is a great choice. 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.

Canberra is not a resort destination.

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

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

The clear water and abundant marine life make Koh Phi Phi a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Canberra or Koh Phi Phi Better for Beaches?

Koh Phi Phi is terrific for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Phi Phi. 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.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Canberra or Koh Phi Phi Better for Hiking?

Koh Phi Phi is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Canberra or Koh Phi Phi?

Canberra 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 Canberra. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

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 Canberra or Koh Phi Phi Better for Families?

Canberra is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Canberra is very family-friendly. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

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 Canberra or Koh Phi Phi Better for Couples?

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

Koh Phi Phi makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Canberra is a good city for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

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

Koh Phi Phi is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options 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.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Canberra or Koh Phi Phi Better for Students?

Canberra is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not popular with students.

Canberra is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Koh Phi Phi is not popular with students.

Is Canberra 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 Canberra and Koh Phi Phi.

Canberra has some public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

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 Canberra or Koh Phi Phi a more walkable city?

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

Canberra is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

Koh Phi Phi is a somewhat walkable city. 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 Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Canberra or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Canberra and Koh Phi Phi. In our opinion, Koh Phi Phi has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Koh Phi Phi than Canberra. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Canberra. 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.

The beautiful island of Koh Phi Phi offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Canberra or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Canberra. This city 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.

Koh Phi Phi is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Phi Phi, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Canberra or Koh Phi Phi?

The cultural city of Canberra 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Canberra or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Koh Phi Phi is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, The Best Contiki Tours to 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 Canberra and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Koh Phi Phi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Koh Phi Phi?

Canberra has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Canberra 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 Canberra or Koh Phi Phi?

Canberra 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 Canberra or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Koh Phi Phi. The summer months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Canberra is cooler than Koh Phi Phi in the summer. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Canberra usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phiin July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Koh Phi Phi. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Canberra this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

In the autumn, Canberra is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Canberra in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Canberra usually gets less rain in April than Koh Phi Phiin October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 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 Canberra or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?

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

In July, Canberra is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phiin January. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 11°C (52°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In July, Canberra usually receives more rain than Koh Phi Phiin January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 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 Canberra or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Canberra during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Canberra in the spring for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

Canberra is much colder than Koh Phi Phi in the spring. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.

Koh Phi Phi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Canberra usually gets less rain in October than Koh Phi Phiin April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 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 Canberra