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

Should you visit Koh Chang or Wellington?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Wellington, 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a funky, compact, and laid-back city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Koh Chang and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Wellington. Although Koh Chang and Wellington are popular destinations, Wellington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wellington is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Koh Chang attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Wellington is more touristy than Koh Chang and is known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also well known for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Koh Chang is famous for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches.

How is Koh Chang different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Wellington is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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 Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wellington 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 Wellington. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

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 Wellington Better for Nightlife?

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

Wellington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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 Wellington Better for Resorts?

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

Wellington is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Chang is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is a must-visit destination for the beache. Also, Wellington 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.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Is Koh Chang or Wellington Better for Hiking?

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

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

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 Wellington?

Wellington 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 Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

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 Wellington Better for Families?

Koh Chang and Wellington 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.

Wellington is a very kid-friendly island. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Koh Chang or Wellington Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington 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.

Wellington is a good island for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

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

Koh Chang and Wellington 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.

Wellington is a great island to visit for backpackers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Koh Chang or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Chang is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Koh Chang is not popular with students.

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

Wellington 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 Wellington. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington a more walkable city?

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

Wellington is very walkable. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Chang and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Chang than in Wellington. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Chang, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington 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 Wellington.

One day in Koh Chang or Wellington?

With food and nightlife around the idyllic island of Koh Chang, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Koh Chang, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the funky destination of Wellington. 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 Wellington?

Koh Chang, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid-back city of Wellington. 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 Wellington?

Koh Chang is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wellington 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?

Both Wellington 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 Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Koh Chang is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Wellington. Koh Chang usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington 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 Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 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 Wellingtonin April. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 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 Wellington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Wellington. 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 Wellington this time of year.

Koh Chang is much warmer than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

In Koh Chang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Wellington in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Koh Chang is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Chang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

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 Wellingtonin October. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Koh Chang