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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Newcastle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Newcastle, 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. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and food.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a coastal, vibrant, and high energy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Koh Chang and Newcastle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Newcastle?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Newcastle than Koh Chang, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Newcastle is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Chang is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Koh Chang is well known for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches. Newcastle is well known for its bustling harbor, sandy beaches, and coastal walks. Also, Newcastle is famous for the Bathers Way.

How is Koh Chang different from Newcastle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Newcastle 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 Newcastle can be an interesting and educational experience. There are some interesting sights around town such as Nobbys Lighthouse. There's also the popular Ocean Baths. These pools offer a nice break from the surf. You can also check out the sights along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. For a history lesson, head to Fort Scratchley.

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 Newcastle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Newcastle 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 Newcastle. It's a moderately sized city, so you'll find a good mix of restaurants. Head to the beachfront if you want fine dining and good seafood. There are also some good breweries and cafes, as well as brunch places and international flavors around town.

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 Newcastle Better for Nightlife?

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

Newcastle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city, and the best nightlife can be found in the Honeysuckle Precinct. This is where you'll find the largest number of bars and pubs. Hunter Street is also a cool hangout area where you'll find the hidden gems where the locals hang out. Civic Theatre is the place to see a show.

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 Newcastle Better for Resorts?

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

Newcastle is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Chang is a moderate island for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Newcastle 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.

Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Newcastle Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is terrific for the beach. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

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.

Newcastle is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are a number of beaches in and near the city. Nobbys Beach is the most popular and you'll find families, surfers, and locals hanging out here. Newcastle Beach is also popular with its many restaurants and cafes.

Is Koh Chang or Newcastle Better for Hiking?

Newcastle is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its hiking experiences.

Newcastle has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many places to enjoy a stroll or hike near town. The most famous walk is the Bathers Way Walk, which runs along the coastline and offers spectacular views. It's particularly nice during the winter whale watching season.

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 Newcastle?

Newcastle 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 Newcastle. It's gained popularity for its trendy fashions and chic style. You'll find great shopping around town that highlight both local and international 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 Newcastle Better for Families?

Koh Chang is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Koh Chang is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Newcastle is a family-friendly island. Kids will enjoy the long sandy beaches, but there's also a working harbor that you can explore. You can also visit the Newcastle Museum or try one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Koh Chang or Newcastle Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is terrific for couples. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Newcastle is a nice destination for couples. The city has some great restaurants as well as many coastal walks and a vibrant nightlife scene that couples enjoy.

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

Koh Chang is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Chang is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. Most of the backpackers hang out around Lonely Beach, which also has a bit of a party vibe.

Newcastle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not Australia's most popular backpacker destination, there are some hostels and a good nightlife scene that are worth checking out.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Koh Chang and Newcastle.

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 Newcastle, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's both a light rail system and a bus system.

Is Koh Chang or Newcastle a more walkable city?

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

Newcastle is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that can be explored 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 Newcastle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Newcastle or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Newcastle?

It's fun to spend time in either Koh Chang or Newcastle. 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 Newcastle.

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

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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Newcastle. 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 Newcastle?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Newcastle. 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 Newcastle?

You'll find nightlife and food around the serene 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the trendy city of Newcastle. 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 Newcastle?

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.

Newcastle 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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

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

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

Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Newcastle. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Newcastle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Koh Chang is generally a little warmer than Newcastlein January. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. In the summer, Koh Chang often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein January. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Newcastle. Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in July than Newcastlein January. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Newcastle in the Autumn?

Both Newcastle and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Koh Chang is a little warmer than Newcastle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in April.

Koh Chang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastle during autumn. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In October, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Newcastlein April. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February. The rainy season in Koh Chang is June to October.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Newcastle in the Winter?

Both Newcastle and Koh Chang during the winter 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

In the winter, Koh Chang is much warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Chang in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Newcastle averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.

In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Chang. In the winter, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Newcastlein July. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun.

Koh Chang usually gets less rain in January than Newcastlein July. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Koh Chang.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Newcastle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Newcastle for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Newcastlein October. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 29°C (84°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In Koh Chang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Chang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastle during spring. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Newcastlein October. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Typical Weather for Newcastle and Koh Chang