A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Chang vs. Canberra for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koh Chang or Canberra?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Canberra, 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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and nightlife.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Koh Chang and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Canberra?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Canberra. Although Koh Chang and Canberra are popular destinations, Canberra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Canberra is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Chang attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Koh Chang is more touristy than Canberra and is known for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also well known for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Koh Chang different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Canberra 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 Canberra can be an interesting and educational experience. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

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 Canberra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Canberra. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Is Koh Chang or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Both Koh Chang and Canberra 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.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Koh Chang or Canberra Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Canberra is not a resort destination.

Koh Chang is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Canberra is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Chang is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Canberra 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.

Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Canberra Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is terrific for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Chang. 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.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Chang or Canberra Better for Hiking?

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

Canberra has hiking trails worth exploring. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

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 Canberra?

Canberra 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 Canberra. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

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 Canberra Better for Families?

Koh Chang and Canberra are both very good 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.

Canberra is a very kid-friendly island. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Koh Chang or Canberra Better for Couples?

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

Koh Chang makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Canberra is a good island for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

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

Koh Chang is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options 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.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Koh Chang or Canberra Better for Students?

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

Canberra is a great city to visit as a student. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Koh Chang is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is Koh Chang or Canberra a more walkable city?

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

Canberra is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

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 Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Canberra?

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Chang than Canberra. 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.

One day in Koh Chang or Canberra?

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 shopping and museums around the city of Canberra. 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 Canberra?

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 museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Canberra. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Chang or Canberra?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Canberra. 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 Canberra?

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.

Canberra 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 Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Chang and Canberra, we can see that Canberra 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 Canberra 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive?.

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

Canberra 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 Canberra in the Summer?

Both Canberra 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, most visitors come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Koh Chang is a little warmer than Canberra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Canberra averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Canberrain January. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Canberra in the Autumn?

Both Canberra 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Canberrain April. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 27°C (81°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Canberra 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 Canberrain April. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 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 Canberra in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Canberra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

Koh Chang is much warmer than Canberra in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in July.

In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Canberrain July. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Canberra in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Canberra. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Canberra for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Koh Chang is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Chang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Canberra averages at about 15°C (60°F)in October.

Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in April than Canberrain October. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Koh Chang