A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kobe vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Nightlife, Backpackers, Food, and Attractions

Should you visit Kobe 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 Kobe 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.

Kobe

Kobe is a subdued, under-rated, and multicultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Kobe travel costs.

Koh Pha Ngan

Koh Pha Ngan is a backpacker-friendly, tropical, and party-oriented party island. With stunning beauty, Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Koh Pha Ngan travel costs.

Kobe and Koh Pha Ngan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Pha Ngan than Kobe, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Pha Ngan is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kobe is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities. Koh Pha Ngan is more touristy than Kobe and is popular for its wild Full Moon Parties, large backpacker crowds, and strikingly beautiful beaches. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is famous for the Full Moon Parties. Kobe is well known for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Koh Pha Ngan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Pha Ngan and Kobe. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

Kobe is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Kobe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

While most people don't head to Koh Pha Ngan specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Visitors come of the natural beauty, outdoor sports, and hardcore parties more than the sights and museums. Kuan Yin Temple is worth visiting, as is Wat Pho and Wat Phu Khao Noi.

Is the Food Better in Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kobe is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kobe makes for a great culinary experience. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

Koh Pha Ngan has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There is frequent turnover in the restaurant scene around town, but there are a few mainstay restaurants that offer consistent and reliable Thai or international cuisine. In general, the food is fresh and the typical Thai favorites are available most places. Also make sure you check out the Thong Sala Night Market, which offers unique snacks and local dishes.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Nightlife?

Koh Pha Ngan is an amazing party island to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Koh Pha Ngan has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island's famous Full Moon Parties have landed it on many lists for top party destinations around the world. These parties are held every month on the night of the full moon, with the biggest crowds between November and March. The parties are traditionally held at the beach in Haad Rin. If you miss the Full Moon Party, you can check out the Half Moon Festival on Baan Ti. During other times, you'll find a variety of different parties that capitalize on the party reputation of the island, so whenever you visit, you can enjoy some level of festivities.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kobe. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Resorts?

Koh Pha Ngan is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe is not a resort destination.

Koh Pha Ngan has a few great resort options. Much of the island caters to the backpacker crowd, but there are some luxury resorts to choose from as well. Many resorts take advantage of the beautiful nature on the island or intentionally prioritize a serene environment where you can relax by the pool.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Pha Ngan is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Koh Pha Ngan. The island has its share of dive shops and a nice underwater setting where you can see coral and a variety of marine life. The island doesn't draw the huge diving crowds like some of the other islands, but that isn't always a bad thing.

Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Beaches?

Koh Pha Ngan is an amazing party island to visit for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Koh Pha Ngan offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The white sand beaches with turquoise blue waters make this island a truly beautiful destination. While most people think of beach parties and Full Moon Parties, the island also has some quieter beaches where you can relax in a peaceful paradise. The parties are mostly concentrated around Sunrise Beach in Haad Rin. This beach also has cheap bungalows that are popular with the backpacker crowd. For the quieter beaches, head to the northern side of the island around Hat Khuat and Hat Thian.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Hiking?

Koh Pha Ngan is great for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Pha Ngan for the hiking trails. In its interior, the island has beautiful jungle and impressive hikes. Some of the best hikes are found in Than Sadet National Park, but come prepared because they can often be challenging. They usually end with a breathtaking viewpoint, secluded beach, or stunning waterfall though.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

Kobe is well known for shopping. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Kobe is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Pha Ngan has some nice offerings. Although shopping isn't particularly popular on the island, it does offer a unique opportunity to support individual shop owners as there are more independently owned vendors on this island than in many other areas. Head to the markets and you'll find the most independent shops to support.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan More Beautiful?

Koh Pha Ngan is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors from all around. The island is more than just Full Moon Parties. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls as well as stunning beaches and eclectic yoga retreats.

Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Families?

Kobe is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kobe. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

For families, Koh Pha Ngan is not always the best place to visit. Most people think of Full Moon Parties and backpacker crowds when they think of this island. There are actually some quieter areas on the eastern and northern sides of the island that are good for families. The activities are best suited for older kids and include hiking, windsurfing, yoga, and shopping.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Couples?

Kobe and Koh Pha Ngan both notable destinations for a couple.

Kobe is a good city for couples to visit. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Koh Pha Ngan is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy partying, yoga retreats, and outdoor exploration will find something for them on this island. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls as well as nice beaches and, of course, the wild parties.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Pha Ngan is an amazing party island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Koh Pha Ngan, as it is a very popular party island for budget travelers. This island is synonymous with backpacker vibes and full moon parties. Head to the southern side of the island around Haad Rin and Ban Tai for the highest concentration of backpacker crowds. Like much of Thailand, there is frequent turnover in hostel ownership, so most reviews that you read online will be out of date. It's best to talk to people on the road to get the most up-to-date perspective.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kobe is very good for its public transit. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Kobe, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Public transit is mostly limited in Koh Pha Ngan. Your best bet for getting around the island without a private vehicle is Songthaew taxi, longtail boats, and rental mopeds.

Is Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan a more walkable city?

Kobe and Koh Pha Ngan are notable when it comes to walkability.

Kobe is a somewhat walkable city. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

Koh Pha Ngan is somewhat walkable. It's possible, and even enjoyable, to walk from place to place around the island but allow yourself a lot of time and bring water because temperatures can be very warm.

For even more information, also check out Is Kobe Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

In either Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Kobe because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kobe, and 3-5 days is enough time in Koh Pha Ngan.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Kobe. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Pha Ngan that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Kobe 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 Pha Ngan.

One day in Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

In Kobe, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this subdued city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of Koh Pha Ngan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

Kobe is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Koh Pha Ngan is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Kobe. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Koh Pha Ngan. This party island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

Kobe is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The party-oriented party island of Koh Pha Ngan offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

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

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Kobe 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 Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan?

Kobe 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 Kobe or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Many travelers come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

In the summer, Kobe is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kobe in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Kobe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kobe usually gets more rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kobe in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Kobe is generally cooler than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 18°C (65°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. It's quite rainy in Kobe. In October, Kobe usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan is October and November.

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

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Kobe during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kobe for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

Kobe is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Kobe usually gets less rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Koh Pha Ngan. The spring months attract visitors to Kobe because of the activities around the city. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Kobe is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kobe in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kobe usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Kobe