Should you visit Koh Chang or Koh Pha Ngan?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Koh Pha Ngan, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
Which city is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Chang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Chang is $42, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $39. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Koh Chang and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Koh Chang can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $21, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $42.
Koh Pha Ngan's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $40. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $20.
Food
While meal prices in Koh Chang can vary, the average travelers spends about $14 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Koh Chang should cost around $5.60 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Koh Chang is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
The average traveler spends about $8.91 per day in Koh Pha Ngan for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Koh Chang $14
Koh Pha Ngan $8.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Chang
For Koh Chang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
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Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
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Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
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InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
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Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
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Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
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Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Typical Food prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Pha Ngan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Koh Pha Ngan.
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Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Local Transportation
To get around in Koh Chang, the average visitor spends $11 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
The cost of a taxi ride in Koh Pha Ngan is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $11 per person, per day, on local transportation in Koh Pha Ngan.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang
Also for Koh Chang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Krabi/Phuket Airport Transfers (KBV/HKT) for Krabi & More:
$15
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Private Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Phuket and Other Areas by Oriental Holiday:
$18
-
7 Spa Luxury Spa Treatments in Pattaya with Round Trip Transfers:
$26
-
Kata Rocks Resort & Residences (8D7N) with free COE Application and Airport Transfers:
$2,321
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Private Bangkok and Pattaya Airports Transfers (UTP, DMK or BKK) for Pattaya:
$31
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Private Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Transfers for Chiang Mai by TTD:
$12
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Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai and More:
$16
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Private City Transfers between Ayutthaya and Bangkok by TTS:
$53
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Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya by TTS:
$53
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Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More:
$46
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Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More by TTD:
$43
-
Private City Transfers between Hat Yai and Pak Bara Pier:
$68
Typical Local Transportation prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental
$8.89
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Ferry Ride
$15
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Gas for Scooter
$3.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Pha Ngan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Pha Ngan:
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[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test by Nabon Inter Medical Clinic in Phuket (Transfer arranged by TTD):
$21
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[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR Test by Bangkok Hospital Phuket (Transfer Arranged by TTD):
$105
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Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Phuket with Transfers:
$22
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Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Chiang Mai with Transfers:
$5.59
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Shared Airport Bus Transfer Phuket :
$3.09
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Samui Airport Transfers (USM) for Koh Samui and More:
$15
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Private Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers (BKK) for Bangkok, Pattaya, and More by Oriental Holiday:
$17
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Private Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers (BKK) for Bangkok Areas by TTD:
$20
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Private Phuket International Airport (HKT) Transfers for Phuket and Nearby Areas by TTD:
$22
-
Private Krabi (KBV) or Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Krabi, Phuket, and More by TTD:
$15
-
Private Don Mueang Airport (DMK) Transfers for Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Ayutthaya:
$18
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Private Don Mueang Airport (DMK) Transfers for Bangkok Areas by TTD:
$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Chang or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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.
Entertainment
In Koh Chang, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $4.74 per person, per day.
Entertainment and activities in Koh Pha Ngan typically cost an average of $14 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Koh Chang
For Koh Chang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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SHOCK PRICE!! Only at THB10 for Airport Rail Link (ARL) Single Journey Ticket with FREE EMS:
$0.30
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Pattaya Pipo Pony Club Admission Ticket in Pattaya:
$1.55
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Pattaya Sheep Farm Ticket:
$2.19
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Nails, Eyelash, and Waxing Beauty Experience at Ju's Nail:
$3.75
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Ramayana Water Park Ticket in Pattaya:
$3.75
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Wakeboarding Experience at Thai Wake Park in Pattaya:
$4.19
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Pong Yang Adventure Park Experience:
$4.49
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Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
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Rejuv Salon Beauty Experiences at Sathon Bangkok:
$5.85
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Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Ticket in Pattaya:
$5.89
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Sleep Salon & Nails Experience in Bangkok:
$6.15
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Kanchanaburi Mallika City Ticket:
$6.19
Tours and Activities in Koh Pha Ngan
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Pha Ngan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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4 Island Day Tour by Speedboat or Longtail Boat from Lanta Island:
$31
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ATV Half Day Adventure in Pattaya:
$28
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Ancient Ayutthaya Tour: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Bang Pa-In Royal Palace & More by AK Travel:
$33
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Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
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Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa In and Night Market Visit by TTD:
$31
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Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Market Visit:
$35
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Bangkok Floating Markets Day Tour from Siam Paragon by TTD:
$28
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Dii Wellness Med Spa Experience by Divana at Central Embassy BTS Ploenchit:
$62
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Go Bangkok e-Scooter Tour:
$46
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Indoor Go Karting Experience by EasyKart Bangkok:
$13
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Krabi Koh Klang Cultural Day Tour by TTD:
$74
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Krabi Sunrise Tour with Breakfast and Kayaking at Klong Nam Sai:
$33
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Koh Chang spend on average $4.06 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Koh Pha Ngan may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.59 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Koh Chang
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Koh Chang:
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PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
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Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
Typical Alcohol prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Koh Pha Ngan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Koh Pha Ngan:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Chang and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Koh Chang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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