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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Melbourne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Melbourne, 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 serene, tranquil, and scenic island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and nightlife.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a friendly, cultural, and progressive city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Koh Chang and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Melbourne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Melbourne. Although Koh Chang and Melbourne are popular destinations, Melbourne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Melbourne is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Chang attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Koh Chang is famous for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches. Melbourne is famous for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also well known for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Koh Chang different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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 Melbourne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Melbourne has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

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.

Is Koh Chang or Melbourne Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Chang is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to 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.

Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is very popular for the beache. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Is Koh Chang or Melbourne Better for Hiking?

Koh Chang is a decent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Chang or Melbourne?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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 Melbourne Better for Families?

Koh Chang and Melbourne are both very good 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.

Melbourne is a very kid-friendly island. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Koh Chang or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Melbourne is a good island for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

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

Koh Chang is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Koh Chang or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Chang is not popular with students.

Melbourne is a great destination for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Koh Chang is not popular with students.

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

Melbourne is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

You'll find some public transit in Koh Chang, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

Is Koh Chang or Melbourne a more walkable city?

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

Melbourne is very walkable. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Melbourne?

In either Koh Chang or Melbourne, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Melbourne has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Melbourne than Koh Chang. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Chang, and 2-5 days is enough time in Melbourne.

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

One day in Koh Chang or Melbourne?

You'll find nightlife and food around the island of Koh Chang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

People visit Melbourne because there is so much to do. 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 Melbourne?

You'll find food and nightlife around the idyllic destination of Koh Chang. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

People visit Melbourne because there is so much to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Melbourne?

You'll find nightlife and food around the tranquil island of Koh Chang. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

People visit Melbourne because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Koh Chang or Melbourne?

Koh Chang is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Melbourne 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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.

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

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne in the Summer?

Both Melbourne and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Koh Chang is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Melbourne averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. Koh Chang usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Melbourne in the Autumn?

Both Melbourne and Koh Chang during the autumn 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Melbournein April. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 27°C (81°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Melbournein April. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Koh Chang. June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Melbourne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Melbourne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

Koh Chang is much warmer than Melbourne in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F)in July.

In Koh Chang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Melbournein July. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Melbourne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Melbourne. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Koh Chang is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Chang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Melbourne averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Chang this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Melbournein October. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.

Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Koh Chang