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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Kaikoura?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Kaikoura, 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 here as well. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and nightlife.

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a biologically diverse, unique, and nature-oriented town. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Koh Chang and Kaikoura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Kaikoura?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kaikoura. Although Koh Chang and Kaikoura are popular destinations, Kaikoura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kaikoura 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. Kaikoura is more touristy than Koh Chang and is popular for its local Sperm Whale population, abundance of marine life, and local crayfish (lobster) recipes. It is also well known for its whale watching trips. Koh Chang is famous for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches.

How is Koh Chang different from Kaikoura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

While most people don't head to Kaikoura specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There aren't many museums in the area, but it's worth learning more about the region's history with a visit to Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura. Seafood lovers will be in heaven in this town! There are many local, freshly caught favorites such as cod, mussels, and crayfish (which is actually lobster). You'll find plenty of casual eateries, including an authentic American diner.

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 Kaikoura Better for Nightlife?

Both Koh Chang and Kaikoura 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.

Kaikoura has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. This is a small town so the nightlife scene is limited, but there are a few restaurants with bars around town.

Is Koh Chang or Kaikoura Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Kaikoura 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.

Kaikoura is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Chang is a moderate island for its diving and snorkeling. However, Kaikoura 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.

Kaikoura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Kaikoura Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is a world-class destination for the beache. Also, Kaikoura is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

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.

Kaikoura is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are many black pebble beaches in the area, which are great for wildlife spotting, but not so good for swimming. Gooch's Beach is one of the most popular, and it's sandier than many of the other beaches. South Bay is another popular area to visit.

Is Koh Chang or Kaikoura Better for Hiking?

Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura. There are many coastal walks in the area that will take you through a variety of landscapes. This is also a great way to see the many diverse types of wildlife throughout the peninsula.

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 Kaikoura?

Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura. There are local shops where you can pick up some interesting products that are unique to the area.

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 Kaikoura Better for Families?

Kaikoura is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Kaikoura is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Kids who love animals will appreciate all of the wildlife in the area. This is one of the best places in the country to see dolphins, whales, and seals. There are world class whale watching trips as well as opportunities to swim with the dolphins and get close to the seals. There is also kayaking, a coastal train, and even sheep shearing. Minigolf is also a fun activity in the area.

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.

Is Koh Chang or Kaikoura Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Kaikoura is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

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.

Kaikoura makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town is all about wildlife, so if whale watching trips, dolphin spotting, and experiencing amazing local wildlife is your thing, then this is your spot! There are also beautiful coastal sights with a dramatic mountain backdrop.

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

Koh Chang and Kaikoura 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.

Kaikoura is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are a decent number of hostels in the area and plenty of fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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

Koh Chang is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kaikoura is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Koh Chang has a few 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.

Public transit is quite limited in Kaikoura. The town is very small and there is no real public transit in the area.

Is Koh Chang or Kaikoura a more walkable city?

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

Kaikoura is somewhat walkable. There are many coastal walks in the area, which is a great way to soak up the beauty and see the wildlife. The town itself is small and most of the accommodation is along Beach Road, so it's relatively easy to reach places 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 Kaikoura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kaikoura or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Kaikoura?

It's fun to spend time in either Koh Chang or Kaikoura. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Koh Chang due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Chang, and 2-4 days is enough time in Kaikoura.

Families should spend more time in Kaikoura than Koh Chang. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kaikoura, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Koh Chang than Kaikoura. 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 Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura.

One day in Koh Chang or Kaikoura?

The beautiful island of Koh Chang offers food and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Kaikoura. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Kaikoura?

Koh Chang is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the biologically diverse destination of Kaikoura. 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 Kaikoura?

Koh Chang is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Chang, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the nature-oriented town of Kaikoura. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Chang or Kaikoura?

Koh Chang is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

Kaikoura is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.

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