A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Chang vs. Gili Trawangan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Chang or Gili Trawangan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Gili Trawangan, 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.

Where Should I go: Koh Chang or Gili Trawangan?

Koh Chang

Most people pick Thailand for their destination because they're anxious to collapse on a breathtaking beach. If that is you, Ko Chang does not disappoint. As one the country's most beautiful islands, Ko Chang is full of white beaches and incredible wildlife. Beware, though, you're not the only one with Ko Chang in mind. During the high season, the island can become quite crowded with tourists.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan, known as Gili T, is the most visited of the three Gili Islands, located on the northeast side of Lombok. These islands are known for world-class diving and snorkeling spots. It's not hard to see why, considering that any direction you step off the shoreline, there's a beautiful underwater world to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Gili Trawangan or Koh Chang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Chang is $48, while the average daily cost in Gili Trawangan is $36. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Koh Chang and Gili Trawangan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Chang $24
    Gili Trawangan $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Chang $48
    Gili Trawangan $48
Compare Hotels in Koh Chang and Gili Trawangan

Looking for a hotel in Koh Chang or Gili Trawangan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Koh Chang


Hotels in Gili Trawangan


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Koh Chang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Chang $13
    Gili Trawangan $2.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang

Also for Koh Chang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Trat Airport: Shared Transfers to/from Koh Chang with Ferry: $26
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $209
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $215
  • Private Transfer from Koh Chang to Bangkok Airport or Don Muang Airport: $199
  • Departure Private Airport Transfer : Koh Chang to Bangkok Airport: $117
  • Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Trat/ Koh Chang: $117

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gili Trawangan

Also for Gili Trawangan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Three Gili Island Lombok by Speedboat: $100
  • Lombok Transfer From 3 Gilis to Airport or Hotel In Lombok: $45
  • Central Gili Island Bus Transfer Senggigi Mataram Kuta Lombok: $16
  • Airport private Transfer: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Chang or Gili Trawangan?

Prices for flights to both Gili Trawangan and Koh Chang change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Koh Chang $17
    Gili Trawangan $7.21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gili Trawangan

For Gili Trawangan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sweet and Spicy - Indonesian Cooking Class in Gili Trawangan: $28
  • Learn to cook authentic Indonesian food at Gili Cooking Classes: $29
  • Gili Trawangan Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise with snorkeling: $91

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Chang $5.46
    Gili Trawangan $3.98

Tours and Activities in Koh Chang

For Koh Chang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Adventure in Diving in Koh Chang: $283
  • Bubblemaker, experience dive for kids from 8 to 10 years old (Koh Chang): $84
  • Full-Day Koh Chang Tour with Lunch : $54
  • PADI Discover Scuba Dive Experience: $153
  • Private Kayak Experience in Bang Bao Bay with Lunch: $22

Tours and Activities in Gili Trawangan

For Gili Trawangan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 5H All Inclusive Breakfast &Snorkeling Cruise on Utopia Catamaran: $107
  • 5H All Inclusive Sunset & Snorkeling Cruise on Utopia Catamaran: $107
  • Gili Hai 3 Islands BBQ Cruise: $72
  • Gili Hai 3 Islands BBQ Sunset Cruise: $72
  • Gili Nanggu Day Tour: $80
  • Gili Trawangan 3 Island Half day Cruise with BBQ Lunch and Snorkeling : $91
  • Shared Gili Islands Snorkeling Tour: $19
  • Kuta Tour (South Of Lombok Beutiful Tour): $49
  • Lombok Private Customize Tour: $85
  • Lombok Private Tour Waterfall And Traditional Village Including Beach: $55
  • Private Snorkeling Experience in Gili Trawangan: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Chang $4.68
    Gili Trawangan $3.67


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

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 Gili Trawangan Expensive?.


Related Articles for Koh Chang
Related Articles for Gili Trawangan