A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Koh Lipe for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Koh Lipe?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Koh Lipe 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.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Koh Lipe?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

Koh Lipe

Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Lipe or Islamabad?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Koh Lipe is $85. 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 Islamabad and Koh Lipe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Koh Lipe $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Koh Lipe $88
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Koh Lipe

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Koh Lipe? 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 Islamabad


Hotels in Koh Lipe


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Koh Lipe Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.68
    Koh Lipe $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

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

  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:

  • Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Koh Lipe?

Prices for flights to both Koh Lipe and Islamabad 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
    Islamabad $15
    Koh Lipe $26

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.48
    Koh Lipe $23

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

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

  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
  • Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
  • Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
  • Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
  • 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
  • Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140

Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe

Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hours Tour Sunset Cruise Around Lipe: $15
  • Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $111
  • Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $21
  • Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $25
  • Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.88
    Koh Lipe $8.18


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

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



When is the best time to visit Islamabad or Koh Lipe?

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

Should I visit Islamabad or Koh Lipe in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Koh Lipe. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year.

It's very hot in Islamabad this time of the year. Islamabad is a little warmer than Koh Lipe in the summer. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 32°C (90°F) in July, and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Islamabad usually gets less rain in July than Koh Lipe. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Islamabad 32°C (90°F) 
    Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Koh Lipe in the Autumn?

Both Koh Lipe and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Islamabad in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Koh Lipe averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Koh Lipe. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Lipe is December to April. The rainy season in Koh Lipe is May to October.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Islamabad 26°C (80°F) 
    Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Koh Lipe in the Winter?

Both Koh Lipe and Islamabad during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round.

In January, Islamabad is generally much colder than Koh Lipe. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 14°C (57°F), and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Islamabad usually gets less rain in January than Koh Lipe. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Islamabad 14°C (57°F) 
    Koh Lipe 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Koh Lipe in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Islamabad is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe in the spring. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Koh Lipe. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Islamabad 27°C (80°F) 
    Koh Lipe 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Lipe and Islamabad

Islamabad Koh Lipe
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 29°C (85°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
May 32°C (89°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 29°C (83°F) 244 mm (9.6 in)
Jun 35°C (94°F) 52 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 32°C (90°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in)
Aug 31°C (89°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 262 mm (10.3 in)
Sep 31°C (87°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 355 mm (14 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 281 mm (11.1 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)


Related Articles for Islamabad
Related Articles for Koh Lipe