A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Chang vs. Atami for Beaches, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koh Chang or Atami?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Atami, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a serene, tranquil, and scenic island. Koh Chang is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and nightlife. See Koh Chang travel costs.

Atami

Atami is a overlooked, nostalgic, and authentic town. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Atami travel costs.

Koh Chang and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Atami?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Chang. Although Koh Chang and Atami are popular destinations, Koh Chang has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Chang is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Atami attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and shopping. Koh Chang is more touristy than Atami and is known for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches. It is also well known for White Sand Beach. Atami is famous for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Koh Chang different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Chang or Atami?

Atami is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Atami is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Koh Chang offers a few options for museum-goers. This is a beach paradise, but you won't find any temples or museums around the island.

Is the Food Better in Koh Chang or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Koh Chang and Atami offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Koh Chang. There's a good selection of restaurants that serve everything from international dishes to Thai favorites. You'll also find restaurants attached to many of the resorts, many with nice views.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Atami. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Koh Chang or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Both Koh Chang and Atami have nice vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Koh Chang. It's Thailand, so there is plenty of partying, but there are quiet parts to the island as well. For the biggest party scenes head to Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach, and Kai Bae Beach. Lonely Beach is where you'll find the highest concentration of backpackers.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Koh Chang or Atami Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Atami is not a resort destination.

In Koh Chang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The island has managed to maintain a natural atmosphere without the overdevelopment found at many Thai islands, yet it still has the amenities and comforts that you need like nice resorts.

Atami is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Chang or Atami Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Chang is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Koh Chang. You can book a snorkeling or dive trip to the nearby islands for the best experience. The beaches on Koh Chang are sandy with very few rocks and coral, so walk in snorkeling is limited.

Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Atami Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is renowned for the beach. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Koh Chang is considered to be a world-class beach destination. You'll find the vast majority of the beaches on the west side of the island. The most developed beach is White Sand Beach, and most of the backpackers hang out at Lonely Beach. For a quiet and more upscale atmosphere check out Klong Prao Beach. Also make sure you keep an eye on high and low tides, because the difference is pretty extreme. You'll find large, sandy beaches at low tide, which disappear at high tide.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is Koh Chang or Atami Better for Hiking?

Koh Chang is a decent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Koh Chang. Very few people actually head inland to go hiking, but if you do it can be a rewarding experience. It's a challenge to hike on the island though, as there are no marked trails. You'll need to hire a guide for any trekking that you wish to do.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Chang or Atami?

Atami is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Atami. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Chang has some nice offerings. While this isn't the place to do any serious shopping, there are a few places where you can pick up essentials and souvenirs from your trip.

Is Koh Chang or Atami More Beautiful?

Koh Chang is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Atami is not a destination known for its beauty.

Koh Chang is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This jungle-filled island offers stunning beauty without overdevelopment.

Atami is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Chang or Atami Better for Families?

Koh Chang is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Koh Chang is very family-friendly. The laid back vibe is perfect for families who want to get away from the party scene and overdevelopment that's found at many Thai islands. The island has kid-friendly beaches, great hiking, and resorts with pools and a family-friendly atmosphere.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Koh Chang or Atami Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Koh Chang is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This beautiful island is a perfect destination for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are beautiful resorts that have the charm and character that is lost at many of the more developed parts of Thailand. There are also beaches that cater to every travel style, including upscale and idyllic gems.

Atami is a good island for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Koh Chang or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Chang is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Koh Chang. Most of the backpackers hang out around Lonely Beach, which also has a bit of a party vibe.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Koh Chang or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Koh Chang and Atami.

Koh Chang has some public transit options. There's a main road that goes around the outside of the island, with the exception of the southern tip. You can rent a motorbike or catch a ride on a Songthaew (pick-up truck taxi). Do note that the roads can be very steep and windy, which can be difficult to drive independently.

You'll find some public transit in Atami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Koh Chang or Atami a more walkable city?

Atami is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Atami is somewhat walkable. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Koh Chang is generally not very walkable. Your ability to walk around really depends on where you stay. Many of the resorts are located in quieter areas without easy access to restaurants or shopping.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Chang Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Chang or Atami to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Chang than Atami because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Chang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Atami.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Chang than Atami 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 Chang.

One day in Koh Chang or Atami?

In Koh Chang, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this scenic destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the beaches. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Atami. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atami has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Chang or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Chang. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nostalgic destination of Atami. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Chang or Atami?

Koh Chang is a fun place to experience. In Koh Chang, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the beaches. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the overlooked town of Atami. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Chang or Atami?

You'll find food and nightlife around the serene destination of Koh Chang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Atami is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Koh Chang or Atami?

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

Should I visit Koh Chang or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Atami. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Koh Chang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atami during summer. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Atami. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Atami in the Autumn?

Both Atami and Koh Chang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Atami in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 27°C (81°F), and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Atami. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in October than Atami. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Koh Chang. June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Atami in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Koh Chang is much warmer than Atami in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In Koh Chang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Atami during winter. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Atami. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Atami in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Atami. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches.

In the spring, Koh Chang is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Chang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Atami averages at about 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Chang this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Atami. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Chang usually gets less rain in April than Atami. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Atami and Koh Chang