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

Should you visit Haifa or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Haifa and Koh Pha Ngan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Haifa or Koh Pha Ngan?

Haifa

Located on the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel, Haifa is Israel's third largest city. It is also a beautiful and strategically located city near the border with Lebanon. The population of Haifa, which is approximately 300,000, is surprisingly diverse. There are Jews, Muslim, and Christian Arabs throughout the city. While Haifa is an industrial city with a strong work ethic and a good job base, it is also a beautiful city with many gardens and a stunning coastline. Today the job base has increasingly become technology based with some large companies such as Google and Microsoft offering employment in the area. Haifa University is also the country's top technology university.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Israel, The Best Cultural Tours in Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Haifa?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Haifa is $123, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $45. 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 Haifa and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Haifa $74
    Koh Pha Ngan $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Haifa $148
    Koh Pha Ngan $46
Compare Hotels in Haifa and Koh Pha Ngan

Looking for a hotel in Haifa 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 Haifa


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: Haifa Hotel Prices and Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Haifa $4.93
    Koh Pha Ngan $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haifa

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

  • Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV): $173
  • Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv City: $173
  • Transfers all over the Holyland: Haifa, TLV, Airport, JLM, Jordan: $195

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

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


  • Scooter Rental
    $8.18
  • Ferry Ride
    $14
  • Gas for Scooter
    $3.00

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

Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan and Haifa 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
    Haifa $44
    Koh Pha Ngan $10
Typical Food Prices in Haifa

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


  • Dinner
    $27

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)
    $1.09
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $11
  • Smoothies (for Two)
    $1.09
  • Ice Cream
    $0.55
  • Juice
    $1.64
  • 3 Spring Rolls
    $0.82
  • 2 Pancakes
    $1.64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Haifa $5.68
    Koh Pha Ngan $17

Tours and Activities in Haifa

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

  • Haifa Port Shore Excursion: Nazareth and Sea of Galilee Day Tour from Haifa Port: $120
  • Haifa Private Tour: $160
  • Haifa, Acre & Rosh Anikra Grottos Haifa Port FullDay Shared Tour: $231
  • Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port. Private Tour: $248
  • Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port 2024 - Small Group: $255
  • Romantic Walking Tour In Haifa for Couples: $290
  • Full Day Tour to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee: $290
  • Christianity Day Tour: Haifa Port to Nazareth and Sea of Galilee : $295
  • Haifa Port: Full-Day Christianity Cruise to Galilee: $388
  • Haifa, Acre and Rosh Anikra for Cruises with Licensed Guide: $405
  • Caesarea, Haifa, Acre, Rosh Hanikra Private Day Tour: $700
  • Wine private tour of Central Israel: $949

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Haifa $13
    Koh Pha Ngan $9.89

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)
    $7.09


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


Which is Bigger, Haifa or Koh Pha Ngan?

Haifa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Haifa 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 Haifa or Koh Pha Ngan?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

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

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

Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Haifa usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Haifa is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the summer. The daily temperature in Haifa averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Haifa 27°C (81°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

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

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

December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Haifa usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In the autumn, Haifa is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Haifa in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (75°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Haifa 24°C (75°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Haifa as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Haifa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Haifa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Haifa usually gets more rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Haifa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In January, Haifa is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Haifa average around 14°C (57°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Haifa 14°C (57°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)

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

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

In April, Haifa usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Haifa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Haifa is cooler than Koh Pha Ngan in the spring. The daily temperature in Haifa averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Haifa 19°C (66°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Haifa

Haifa Koh Pha Ngan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 24°C (75°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)