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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Hobart?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Hobart, 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. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and nightlife.

Hobart

Hobart is a historical, charming, and fascinating city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Koh Chang and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Hobart?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hobart. Although Koh Chang and Hobart are popular destinations, Hobart has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hobart is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, and shopping, while Koh Chang attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Hobart is more touristy than Koh Chang and is known for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. It is also well known for Battery Point. Koh Chang is famous for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches.

How is Koh Chang different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hobart 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 Hobart can be an interesting and educational experience. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

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 Hobart? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hobart 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 Hobart. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

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 Hobart Better for Nightlife?

Both Koh Chang and Hobart 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.

Hobart has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

Is Koh Chang or Hobart Better for Resorts?

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

In Koh Chang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

Hobart is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Chang is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Hobart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can 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.

Hobart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Hobart Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is renowned for the beache. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

Koh Chang is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Chang or Hobart Better for Hiking?

Hobart 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 Hobart. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

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 Hobart?

Hobart 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 Hobart. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

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 Hobart Better for Families?

Koh Chang and Hobart are both high quality 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.

Hobart is a very kid-friendly island. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

Is Koh Chang or Hobart Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Koh Chang is a great island for couples, as it 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.

Hobart is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

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

Koh Chang is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hobart. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

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

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

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 Hobart, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Is Koh Chang or Hobart a more walkable city?

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

Hobart is very walkable. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring 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 Hobart Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Hobart?

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Chang than Hobart. 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 Hobart 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 Hobart?

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 city of Hobart. 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 Hobart?

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 fascinating destination of Hobart. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Chang or Hobart?

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 historical city of Hobart. 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 Hobart?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the idyllic 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.

Hobart 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 Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

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

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

Hobart 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 Hobart in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Hobart. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hobart for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koh Chang is much warmer than Hobart. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Hobart averages at about 17°C (63°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hobart this time of the year. Koh Chang usually receives less sunshine than Hobart during summer. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Hobartin January. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Hobart in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Hobart. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Hobart in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Hobartin April. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 27°C (81°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Hobartin April. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 178 hours of full sun.

Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in October than Hobartin April. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 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 Hobart in the Winter?

Both Hobart 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, most visitors come to Hobart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Koh Chang is much warmer than Hobart in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Hobart fluctuates around 9°C (47°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during winter. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Hobartin July. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Hobart in the Spring?

Both Hobart 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.

In the spring, Koh Chang is much warmer than Hobart. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Chang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Hobart averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

In Hobart, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Chang. In the spring, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Hobartin October. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 209 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 Hobartin October. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Typical Weather for Hobart and Koh Chang