A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gothenburg vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan? 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: Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan?

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Gothenburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Gothenburg Prices
    Sweden Prices
    Koh Pha Ngan Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Gothenburg $143
    Koh Pha Ngan $58

The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $143, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $58. 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 Gothenburg and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $46
    Koh Pha Ngan $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $92
    Koh Pha Ngan $50
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Koh Pha Ngan

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Gothenburg


Hotels in Koh Pha Ngan


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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices and Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $21
    Koh Pha Ngan $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

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

  • Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $129
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $106
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $211
  • Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $76
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $79
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $130
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $16
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $16
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $110
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $168

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $8.95
  • Ferry Ride
    $15
  • Gas for Scooter
    $3.28

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan?

Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan and Gothenburg 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
    Gothenburg $75
    Koh Pha Ngan $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Taysta's Food Tour i Göteborg: $42

Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:


  • Noodle Lunch (for One)
    $1.19
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $11
  • Smoothies (for Two)
    $1.19
  • Ice Cream
    $0.60
  • Juice
    $1.79
  • 3 Spring Rolls
    $0.89
  • 2 Pancakes
    $1.79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Koh Pha Ngan $18

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

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

  • Private Self-Guided Tour in Gothenburg With 100 Audio Stories: $3.51
  • Gothenburg Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
  • Alfie Atkins Cultural Centre Admission Ticket: $17
  • Gothenburg Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $17
  • Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $17
  • World of Volvo Exhibition Entry Ticket: $20
  • Self-Guided Secrets of Gothenburg Exploration Game Tour: $23
  • Paradox Museum Entry Ticket: $25
  • Gothenburg Universeum Ticket - Aquarium, Science, Wildlife, Zoo: $26
  • Universeum Entry Ticket: $27
  • The Paddan Tour: $29
  • City Canal Sightseeing Cruise: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $23
    Koh Pha Ngan $11

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)
    $7.76


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

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


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

In the summer, Gothenburg is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. Gothenburg is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Gothenburg is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).

In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Koh Pha Ngan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)