A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Chumphon vs. Koh Tao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chumphon or Koh Tao?

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

Should I visit Chumphon or Koh Tao? 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: Chumphon or Koh Tao?

Chumphon

Sometimes tourism has a tendency to spoil the natural beauty of a place. This is not the case in the magical city of Chumphon, Thailand. As the gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago, this city has maintained natural, untouched beauty. Its miles of coastline are full of fine beaches with fishing, swimming and a number of other activities.

Koh Tao

With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.

This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.

Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best 2-Week Tours from Bangkok, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Chumphon?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chumphon is $36, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Chumphon and Koh Tao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chumphon $16
    Koh Tao $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chumphon $32
    Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Chumphon and Koh Tao

Looking for a hotel in Chumphon or Koh Tao? 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 Chumphon


Hotels in Koh Tao


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: Chumphon Hotel Prices and Koh Tao Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chumphon $6.39
    Koh Tao $8.76

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao

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


  • Motorbike Rental
    $5.24
  • Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry
    $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Chumphon or Koh Tao?

Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Chumphon 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
    Chumphon $13
    Koh Tao $9.31
Typical Food Prices in Chumphon

For Chumphon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Ice Cream
    $0.17
  • Fruit at the Market
    $0.55
  • Breakfast
    $1.10

Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao

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


  • Sit Down Lunch (for One)
    $5.51
  • Breakfast
    $4.14
  • Casual Breakfast (for Two)
    $3.31
  • Fancy Dinner (for Two)
    $14
  • Pancake
    $1.93
  • American Breakfast (for Two)
    $7.72
  • Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)
    $7.44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chumphon $10
    Koh Tao $27

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao

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


  • Kayak Rental (One Hour)
    $6.89
  • Snorkel Rental
    $2.76
  • Kayak and Snorkel (2)
    $2.76

Tours and Activities in Koh Tao

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

  • 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
  • Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $282
  • Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $127
  • Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
  • Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $24
  • Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
  • Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
  • Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
  • Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
  • Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
  • Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chumphon $11
    Koh Tao $7.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chumphon

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chumphon are as follows:


  • Beer (2)
    $3.86

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao

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


  • Beer
    $1.79
  • Bottle of Wine
    $10


When comparing the travel costs between Chumphon and Koh Tao, we can see that Koh Tao is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Chumphon or Koh Tao?

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Chumphon or Koh Tao in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chumphon and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chumphon year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chumphon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chumphon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Tao. Chumphon gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Chumphon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao during summer. Chumphon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Chumphon is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chumphon in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chumphon 28°C (82°F) 
    Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Chumphon or Koh Tao in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chumphon as well as Koh Tao. Chumphon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.

October and November in Koh Tao is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Chumphon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chumphon usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Koh Tao. Chumphon gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Chumphon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Chumphon gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.

In October, Chumphon is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Chumphon average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chumphon 27°C (81°F) 
    Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Chumphon or Koh Tao in the Winter?

Both Koh Tao and Chumphon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chumphon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June. In January, Chumphon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Tao. Chumphon gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chumphon. Chumphon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao during winter. Chumphon gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.

Chumphon is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Chumphon averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chumphon 25°C (77°F) 
    Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Chumphon or Koh Tao in the Spring?

Both Koh Tao and Chumphon during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chumphon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.

February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao. Chumphon usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Koh Tao. Chumphon gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chumphon. In the spring, Chumphon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Chumphon gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Chumphon is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chumphon in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chumphon 29°C (84°F) 
    Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Chumphon

Chumphon Koh Tao
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 25°C (78°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 25°C (76°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 276 mm (10.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in) 23°C (74°F) 380 mm (15 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)