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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Ise?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Ise, 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 Koh Chang is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and nightlife. See Koh Chang travel costs.

Ise

Ise is a off-the-beaten-path, overlooked, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Ise travel costs.

Koh Chang and Ise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Ise?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Chang. Although Koh Chang and Ise are popular destinations, Koh Chang has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Chang is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Ise attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Koh Chang is famous for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches. It is also well known for White Sand Beach. Ise is famous for its important Shinto shrines and its coastal setting.

How is Koh Chang different from Ise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ise is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While this is an often overlooked part of Japan for tourists, those who venture here will enjoy strolling through the forest and visiting the shrine complex of Ise Jingu.

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 Ise? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ise 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 Ise. You'll find some of Japan's best seafood around town and there are many local delicacies. Head to the downtown area around Iseshi Station to find a high concentration of places. One local specialty is the Japanese spiny lobster (also known as the Ise lobster).

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 Ise Better for Nightlife?

Koh Chang is a island with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Ise is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

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.

Ise doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Most visitors don't stay long enough to take in the nightlife, which is limited.

Is Koh Chang or Ise Better for Resorts?

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

Ise is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Chang is a island with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Ise 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.

Ise is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Ise Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

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.

Ise offers a nice beach destination. There are several nice and sandy beaches in the area that make for a nice break from the sightseeing.

Is Koh Chang or Ise Better for Hiking?

Koh Chang is a island with a few options for its hiking experiences. However, Ise is not a hiking destination.

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.

Ise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Chang or Ise?

Ise 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 Ise. There's a shopping street in town with many of the shops housed in traditional buildings, giving the area a nice character.

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 Ise More Beautiful?

Koh Chang is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Ise is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Koh Chang is one of the main draws. This jungle-filled island offers stunning beauty without overdevelopment.

Ise is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Chang or Ise Better for Families?

Koh Chang is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Koh Chang is a very kid-friendly island. 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.

Ise offers lots of family activities. The Ise Jingu Shrine complex is large and sprawling, and has the feel of a park. The kids will likely find visiting all of the temples tedious, but the forest is peaceful and the setting is beautiful.

Is Koh Chang or Ise Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Ise is a good island for couples to visit. This is an off-the-beaten path destination that is far more than a shrine - it's a complex of shrines. It's spread out over a large space and filled with forest and peaceful walks that couples will enjoy.

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

Koh Chang is well known for backpackers. Also, Ise is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ise. It's off the radar for many backpackers, but those that make it here will find a couple of hostels and affordable accommodation options.

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

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

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 Ise, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The CAN Bus is a tourist bus that connects the train stations to the main attractions and runs every half hour.

Is Koh Chang or Ise a more walkable city?

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

Ise is somewhat walkable. There are walking paths through the complex that connect the shrines, but some of the distances can be significant.

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 Ise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ise or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Ise?

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

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

With nightlife and food around the idyllic destination of Koh Chang, there's plenty to do. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

A weekend in Koh Chang or Ise?

Many people visit Koh Chang for a weekend. With food and nightlife around the tranquil island of Koh Chang, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 food around the authentic destination of Ise. 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 Ise?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Koh Chang, there's plenty to do. Many people spend five days here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic city of Ise. 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 Ise?

Koh Chang, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Ise 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Chang and Ise, we can see that Ise is more expensive. And not only is Koh Chang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Ise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ise 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 Ise Expensive?.

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

Ise 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 Ise in the Summer?

Both Ise and Koh Chang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ise for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Ise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Ise averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In the summer, Koh Chang often gets less sunshine than Ise. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun.

Ise 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 July than Ise. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Ise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Ise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ise in the autumn for the shopping scene.

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

Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Ise during autumn. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 160 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Ise. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Ise in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Ise. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Ise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ise can be very cold during winter. Koh Chang is much warmer than Ise in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Ise fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Chang this time of the year. In the winter, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Ise. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 165 hours of full sun.

Koh Chang usually gets less rain in January than Ise. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Ise in the Spring?

Both Ise and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Ise because of the beaches.

In the spring, Koh Chang is much warmer than Ise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Chang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Ise averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Ise during spring. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In April, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Ise. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Koh Chang is June to October.

Typical Weather for Ise and Koh Chang