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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Dunedin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Dunedin, 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 tranquil, scenic, and idyllic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and food.

Dunedin

Dunedin is a vibrant, small, and hilly city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Koh Chang and Dunedin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Dunedin?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dunedin than Koh Chang, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dunedin is better known for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Koh Chang is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Koh Chang is well known for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches. Dunedin is well known for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula. Also, Dunedin is famous for .

How is Koh Chang different from Dunedin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dunedin 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 Dunedin can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has cultural scene that is centered around both Scottish and Maori heritage. Top sights around town include the Larnach Castle, the Dunedin Railway Station, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Otago 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 Dunedin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Koh Chang and Dunedin 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 Dunedin. The culinary scene in town continues to grow and improve. There are local eateries that have charm and character and serve interesting and local dishes.

Is Koh Chang or Dunedin Better for Nightlife?

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

Dunedin has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The town has eclectic bars and a diverse club scene that is fun to experience. It has a lively nightlife scene that is driven, in part, by the large student population.

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 Dunedin Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is well known for its resorts. However, Dunedin 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.

Dunedin is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Chang is a island with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Dunedin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Dunedin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Dunedin Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

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.

Many people head to Dunedin to enjoy the beach. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the city center. The surf is surprisingly good and the beaches are fun during the warmer summer months.

Is Koh Chang or Dunedin Better for Hiking?

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

Dunedin has hiking trails worth exploring. There are biking and hiking trails that travel around town and through the surrounding landscapes.

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 Dunedin?

Dunedin 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 Dunedin. The shopping scene is diverse and eclectic with everything from vintage shops to fashion boutiques. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Edinburgh Way, Octagon Entertainment Precinct, Moray Place, and the Warehouse Precinct.

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 Dunedin Better for Families?

Koh Chang and Dunedin 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.

Dunedin is a very kid-friendly island. It's one of the largest cities on the South Island, and there are many educational opportunities and unique experiences available to kids. You can visit the Otago Museum or the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Larnach Castle. You can also take a ride on the Inlander or simply hang out at a playground.

Is Koh Chang or Dunedin Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Dunedin is a nice destination for couples. You can wander through the castle or explore one of the city's markets. There are also romantic restaurants and many opportunities to see wildlife.

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

Koh Chang and Dunedin are both very good 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.

Dunedin is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.

Is Koh Chang or Dunedin Better for Students?

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

Dunedin is a great city to visit as a student. This is a large student city that is welcoming to international students and a popular place to study.

Koh Chang is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Dunedin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There a relatively decent bus system that travels through town.

Is Koh Chang or Dunedin a more walkable city?

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

Dunedin is very walkable. Parts of the town are easy to explore on foot.

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 Dunedin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dunedin or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Dunedin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Chang and Dunedin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Chang than in Dunedin. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Chang, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dunedin.

Families should spend more time in Koh Chang than Dunedin. 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 Dunedin. 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 Dunedin 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 Dunedin.

One day in Koh Chang or Dunedin?

In Koh Chang, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Koh Chang or Dunedin?

In Koh Chang, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the hilly destination of Dunedin. 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 Dunedin?

Koh Chang is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Chang has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Dunedin. 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 Dunedin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Chang. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Koh Chang. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Dunedin 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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