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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Brisbane?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Brisbane, 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 scenic, idyllic, and serene island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Koh Chang and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Brisbane?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Brisbane than Koh Chang, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Brisbane is better known for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Chang is more popular for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Koh Chang is well known for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches. Brisbane is well known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. Also, Brisbane is famous for the Cultural Centre.

How is Koh Chang different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Brisbane can be an interesting and educational experience. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

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 Brisbane? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Koh Chang and Brisbane offer notable 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 Brisbane. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Koh Chang or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Brisbane has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Koh Chang has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Koh Chang or Brisbane Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is great for its luxury resorts. However, Brisbane is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Koh Chang. 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.

Brisbane is not a resort destination.

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

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its diving and snorkeling.

Brisbane has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Koh Chang has a few snorkeling spots. 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.

Is Koh Chang or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is an amazing island to visit for the beach. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Koh Chang is a very popular vacation 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.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Brisbane. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Is Koh Chang or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its hiking experiences.

Brisbane has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Chang or Brisbane?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

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 Brisbane Better for Families?

Koh Chang and Brisbane are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Koh Chang is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Brisbane is a very kid-friendly island. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Is Koh Chang or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Koh Chang 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.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

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

Koh Chang and Brisbane are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Koh Chang is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Most of the backpackers hang out around Lonely Beach, which also has a bit of a party vibe.

Brisbane is a great island to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Is Koh Chang or Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Chang is not popular with students.

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit as a student. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Koh Chang is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Koh Chang and Brisbane.

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 Brisbane, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Koh Chang or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Brisbane is very walkable. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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 Brisbane Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Brisbane?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Chang and Brisbane. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Chang than in Brisbane. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Chang, and 2-3 days is enough time in Brisbane.

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

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

One day in Koh Chang or Brisbane?

The beautiful island of Koh Chang offers food and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal city of Brisbane. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Chang or Brisbane?

Koh Chang is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active destination of Brisbane. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Chang or Brisbane?

Koh Chang is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Chang, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the cultural coastal city of Brisbane. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Chang or Brisbane?

Koh Chang is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

Brisbane is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

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

Brisbane 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 Brisbane in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Brisbane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koh Chang is generally around the same temperature as Brisbanein January. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 28°C (82°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Koh Chang usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during summer. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Brisbanein January. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Brisbane in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Brisbane. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

Koh Chang is a little warmer than Brisbane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In the autumn, Koh Chang often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein April. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in October than Brisbanein April. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Brisbane in the Winter?

Both Brisbane and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Koh Chang is much warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Chang in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Brisbane averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Brisbane during winter. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Brisbanein July. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Brisbane in the Spring?

Both Brisbane and Koh Chang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Koh Chang is generally a little warmer than Brisbanein October. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 29°C (84°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Chang. In the spring, Koh Chang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbanein October. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in April than Brisbanein October. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Koh Chang