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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Darwin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Darwin, 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 idyllic, serene, and tranquil island. You'll find world class beauty in Koh Chang as well. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and nightlife. See Koh Chang travel costs.

Darwin

Darwin is a multicultural, authentic, and local town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Darwin travel costs.

Koh Chang and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Darwin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Darwin. Although Koh Chang and Darwin are popular destinations, Darwin has more sights and attractions for tourists. Darwin is very popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, and shopping, while Koh Chang attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Koh Chang is famous for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches. Darwin is famous for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. It is also well known for Mindil Beach.

How is Koh Chang different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Darwin is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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 Darwin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Koh Chang and Darwin 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 Darwin. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Koh Chang or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Both Koh Chang and Darwin 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.

Darwin has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Koh Chang or Darwin Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is notable for its resorts. However, Darwin is not a resort destination.

Koh Chang is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Darwin is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Chang is a moderate island for its diving and snorkeling. However, Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option 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.

Darwin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is terrific for the beach. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

The beaches in Koh Chang are among the best in the world. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Is Koh Chang or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Darwin. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu 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 Darwin?

Darwin 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 Darwin. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around 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 Darwin More Beautiful?

Koh Chang is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Darwin is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Koh Chang as well. This jungle-filled island offers stunning beauty without overdevelopment.

Darwin is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Chang or Darwin Better for Families?

Koh Chang and Darwin are both superb 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.

Darwin is a very kid-friendly island. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

Is Koh Chang or Darwin Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Koh Chang has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Darwin is a good island for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

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

Koh Chang is notable for backpackers. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Chang is a great island to visit for backpackers. Most of the backpackers hang out around Lonely Beach, which also has a bit of a party vibe.

Darwin is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

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

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

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 Darwin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

Is Koh Chang or Darwin a more walkable city?

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

Darwin is somewhat walkable. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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 Darwin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Darwin?

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

Families should spend more time in Koh Chang than Darwin. 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 Darwin. 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 Darwin 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 Darwin?

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Koh Chang. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Darwin. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Darwin?

Koh Chang is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the tropical destination of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Chang. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic town of Darwin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Chang or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic destination of Koh Chang. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Darwin is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Darwin, we can see that Darwin 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 Darwin 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 Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin 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 Darwin Expensive?.

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

Darwin 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 Darwin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Darwin. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

In the summer, Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (83°F)in January.

In the summer, Koh Chang often gets less sunshine than Darwinin January. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Darwin. Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Chang usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Darwinin January. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Darwin in the Autumn?

Both Darwin and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Chang is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin April. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 27°C (81°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

It's quite sunny in Darwin. Koh Chang usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during autumn. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In October, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Darwinin April. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February. The rainy season in Koh Chang is June to October.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Darwin in the Winter?

Both Darwin and Koh Chang during the winter 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 Darwin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Darwin in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in July.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Chang. In the winter, Koh Chang often gets less sunshine than Darwinin July. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun.

Koh Chang usually gets more rain in January than Darwinin July. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Koh Chang.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Darwin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Chang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (85°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In Koh Chang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Chang usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during spring. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Darwinin October. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Koh Chang