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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Noosa Heads?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Noosa Heads, 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 scenic, idyllic, and serene island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and nightlife.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a scenic, natural, and charming coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Koh Chang and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Noosa Heads?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Noosa Heads. Although Koh Chang and Noosa Heads are popular destinations, Noosa Heads has more sights and attractions for tourists. Noosa Heads is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Koh Chang attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Noosa Heads is more touristy than Koh Chang and is known for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture. It is also well known for Noosa Main Beach. Koh Chang is famous for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches.

How is Koh Chang different from Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

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 Noosa Heads? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

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 Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

Both Koh Chang and Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

Is Koh Chang or Noosa Heads Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Noosa Heads 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.

Noosa Heads is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Chang or Noosa Heads Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Chang is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Noosa Heads is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can 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.

Noosa Heads is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

Both Koh Chang and Noosa Heads have first-rate beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Koh Chang are among the best in the world. 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.

Noosa Heads is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

Is Koh Chang or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

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 Noosa Heads?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as 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 Noosa Heads Better for Families?

Koh Chang and Noosa Heads are both high quality 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.

Noosa Heads is a very kid-friendly island. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

Is Koh Chang or Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town 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.

Noosa Heads is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

Is Koh Chang or Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Chang and Noosa Heads are both high quality 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.

Noosa Heads is a great island to visit for backpackers. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

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

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

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 Noosa Heads, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Is Koh Chang or Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

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

Noosa Heads is very walkable. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

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 Noosa Heads Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Noosa Heads?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Chang than Noosa Heads. 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 Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.

One day in Koh Chang or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the serene island of Koh Chang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Even though Noosa Heads is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the serene destination of Koh Chang. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Noosa Heads is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. 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 coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Chang or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic island of Koh Chang. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Noosa Heads is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Chang or Noosa Heads?

Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Koh Chang. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Noosa Heads 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.

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

When is the best time to visit Koh Chang or Noosa Heads?

Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Noosa Heads. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Also, many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koh Chang is a little warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 20°C (67°F)in January.

Noosa Heads receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin January. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Noosa Heads. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Noosa Headsin April. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 27°C (81°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in October than Noosa Headsin April. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

Both Noosa Heads and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Koh Chang is much warmer than Noosa Heads in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in July.

In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Noosa Headsin July. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

Both Noosa Heads and Koh Chang during the spring 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 spring months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in April than Noosa Headsin October. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Koh Chang