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

Should you visit Kobe or Koh Tao?

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 Tao. 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 under-rated, multicultural, and quaint city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Kobe travel costs.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a mellow, beautiful, and tropical island. Many visitors also come to Koh Tao because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Koh Tao travel costs.

Kobe and Koh Tao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Koh Tao?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koh Tao. Although Kobe and Koh Tao are both popular with visitors, Koh Tao has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koh Tao is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kobe is known for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities. Koh Tao is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its affordable scuba diving courses, laid-back island vibe, popularity with backpackers, and stunning island hikes. It is also home to Mango Bay Viewpoint. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe different from Koh Tao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Tao 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 Tao?

Kobe is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Kobe offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Koh Tao offers a few options for museum-goers. It's a small island that is all about beachfront beauty. Most visitors enjoy the island's outdoor paradise setting, but on those rainy afternoons, there really are very few indoor activities or temples to visit.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Kobe and Koh Tao can be difficult as they are each great in their own way.

Kobe has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Koh Tao makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a huge ex-pat community on the island, and with them they bring a variety of international cuisines. There are also local establishments that sell the typical Thai dishes with lots of seafood, curries, and noodle dishes. It's fun to enjoy a beachside restaurant that lets you sit right by the water looking off into a tropical paradise.

Is Kobe or Koh Tao Better for Nightlife?

Koh Tao is great for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Koh Tao for the nightlife scene. While most people head for the island for its scuba diving, when the sun goes down everyone heads to the beach to party. The island has a very active nightlife scene with its own Full Moon Parties, dance clubs, beachside bars, and more. Head to Sairee Beach for the most active nightlife and entertainment options.

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 Tao Better for Resorts?

Koh Tao is great for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Koh Tao to choose from. While it's mostly famous as a diving destination, there are also a diversity of resorts, from luxury to affordable, available on the island. The beaches are beautiful and many resorts offer scuba diving packages as well.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

Is Kobe or Koh Tao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Tao is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Koh Tao. The island is Thailand's most famous scuba diving destination for it's affordable certifications and prolific dive shops. There are a variety of dive sites near the island, but with fame and popularity come challenges. The coral and sealife is feeling the pressure of the high number of tourists, and the reefs show their damage. But the training you receive here is affordable and well-established.

Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kobe or Koh Tao Better for Beaches?

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

Koh Tao offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The white sand beaches have a mellow vibe with beautiful blue waters. This is a true tropical paradise with beachside cafes, easy snorkeling, and warm water. The beaches range from quiet and isolated to high energy and vibrant.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Koh Tao Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Koh Tao for the hiking trails. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the inland beauty of the island. There are paths that take you through the jungle covered land to viewpoints and remote areas. Many paths are rustic and not always well maintained so it's helpful to ask a local for directions beforehand.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Koh Tao?

Kobe is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its shopping areas.

Kobe is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Koh Tao to go shopping. The main beach areas of Mae Haad, Sairee, and Chalok Baan Kao have the highest concentration of clothing and dive equipment shops. Because it's an island with limited access, prices can be a bit high.

Is Kobe or Koh Tao More Beautiful?

Koh Tao is an amazing island to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Koh Tao because of it's amazing beauty. The island is famous for its cheap diving scene and underwater beauty, but there are also stunning beaches with crystal blue waters as well as quiet bays.

Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kobe or Koh Tao Better for Families?

Both Kobe and Koh Tao are good family-friendly destinations.

Kobe offers lots of family activities. 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.

Koh Tao is a family-friendly place to visit. The island is popular for its affordable scuba diving certifications, so there are a number of options for families with older kids who'd like to get certified. It's also a more laid back and smaller island than some nearby places, so it's possible to find quiet beaches where your family can relax. Some of the quieter beaches include Sai Nuan and Ao Luek. You'll still find a large number of backpackers on the island, but there's a more chill atmosphere with most visitors focused on scuba diving and exploring.

Is Kobe or Koh Tao Better for Couples?

Koh Tao is great for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Koh Tao is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. This laid back island offers a relaxing honeymoon destination for couples who want to learn to scuba dive and enjoy a bit of tropical paradise. There are beachside restaurants, beautiful blue waters, white sand, and everything you need for your own piece of paradise.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Kobe or Koh Tao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Tao is an amazing 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 Tao, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. The island is an oasis for backpackers who want to enjoy the mellow island life, learn to scuba dive cheaply, and have fun at a beachside party. There are plenty of affordable places to stay and countless opportunities to meet other backpackers. The island is also well connected to other nearby islands.

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 Tao Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kobe is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Kobe offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 generally limited in Koh Tao. You can rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore the island. There are also taxis and taxi boats available.

Is Kobe or Koh Tao a more walkable city?

Koh Tao is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Koh Tao is a very walkable destination. The island is smaller than many islands in Thailand, and the small towns are usually no more than 5 kilometers apart. It's also possible to walk around most of the small towns.

Kobe is somewhat walkable. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Koh Tao or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Koh Tao?

Both Kobe and Koh Tao have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Tao than in Kobe. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kobe, and 2-7 days is enough time in Koh Tao.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Tao 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 Tao.

One day in Kobe or Koh Tao?

In Kobe, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Koh Tao. 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 Tao?

In Kobe, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kobe has to offer.

Koh Tao is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kobe or Koh Tao?

Kobe is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the mellow destination of Koh Tao. This 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 Tao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kobe. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kobe. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the mellow island of Koh Tao. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kobe and Koh Tao, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Tao.

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 Tao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Koh Tao?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 1110 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Kobe 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 Kobe or Koh Tao?

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

Should I visit Kobe or Koh Tao in the Summer?

Both Koh Tao and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kobe in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Kobe is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Kobe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Kobe. In July, Kobe usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Koh Tao in the Autumn?

Both Koh Tao and Kobe during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.

Kobe is cooler than Koh Tao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In the autumn, Kobe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.

Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao.

Should I visit Kobe or Koh Tao in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Koh Tao. The winter months attract visitors to Kobe because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Kobe is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kobe usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.

Should I visit Kobe or Koh Tao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Koh Tao. The activities around the city are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.

In April, Kobe is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In the spring, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Koh Tao. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Kobe