A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lanta vs. Aoraki Mount Cook for Hiking, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Aoraki Mount Cook can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a peaceful, quiet, and beautiful island. Many visitors also come to Koh Lanta because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Koh Lanta travel costs.

Aoraki Mount Cook

Aoraki Mount Cook is a scenic, dramatic, and breathtaking mountain. The famous beauty of Aoraki Mount Cook is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking. See Aoraki Mount Cook travel costs.

Koh Lanta and Aoraki Mount Cook: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koh Lanta. Although Koh Lanta and Aoraki Mount Cook are both popular with visitors, Koh Lanta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koh Lanta is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Aoraki Mount Cook is known for its hiking. Aoraki Mount Cook is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is popular for its glaciers, alpine setting, and being the highest mountain in New Zealand. Koh Lanta is popular for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park. It is also home to Long Beach.

How is Koh Lanta different from Aoraki Mount Cook?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aoraki Mount Cook and Koh Lanta. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook?

Koh Lanta is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Aoraki Mount Cook does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lanta. Nature and tranquil beauty are what this island is all about, so you won't find much in the form of museums or temples.

Aoraki Mount Cook does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koh Lanta is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Aoraki Mount Cook is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Koh Lanta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are local markets that pop up in different places each day of the week. You may even get to sample deep-fried cicadas or dried fish. If you're looking for a more mainstream flavor, there are also curries and seafood dishes that are often locally caught.

Aoraki Mount Cook offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few cafes and restaurants in the village, but if you're doing any hiking you should pack your own food.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook Better for Nightlife?

Koh Lanta is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Aoraki Mount Cook is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Koh Lanta has a few options to choose from. This is one of the most chill islands in Thailand, so you won't find the hardcore party scene of some of the more backpacker heavy islands. That doesn't mean you won't find live music or places to hang out any night of the week.

People don't go to Aoraki Mount Cook for the nightlife. There's an upscale bar at the Hermitage Hotel, but otherwise very little to do at night.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook Better for Resorts?

Koh Lanta is great for its luxury resorts. However, Aoraki Mount Cook is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Koh Lanta to choose from. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Aoraki Mount Cook is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lanta is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Aoraki Mount Cook is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Koh Lanta. There are snorkeling and diving trips that leave from the island daily. It's also possible to snorkel off some of the beaches around the island without organizing a group trip.

Aoraki Mount Cook is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook Better for Beaches?

Koh Lanta is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Aoraki Mount Cook is not a beach destination.

Koh Lanta offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. For a quiet and tranquil beach holiday, this is your spot. You can enjoy long walks along sandy beaches on the north side of the island, and on the south side you'll find dramatic beauty. The most well known beach is Long Beach, which is also the longest on the island.

Aoraki Mount Cook is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook Better for Hiking?

Aoraki Mount Cook is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Around Aoraki Mount Cook visitors will find world-class hiking trails. There are beginner trails as well as world class routes that bring out expert climbers. As the highest peak in New Zealand, many people come here for the challenge, but if you're looking for a most simple experience, the hiking opportunities are still abundant.

Many visitors go to Koh Lanta for the hiking trails. You'll find hiking trails in Koh Lanta National Park, which is at the southern tip of the island. You'll wander through the jungle, see wildlife, and take in breathtaking views.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook?

Koh Lanta is mediocre for its shopping areas. However, Aoraki Mount Cook is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping in Koh Lanta can be found for those interested. The island doesn't have the huge tourist crowds of many places in Thailand, so you'll find few shops in the towns. If you need to buy clothes or other items, it's better to go to the mainland.

Aoraki Mount Cook is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook More Beautiful?

Koh Lanta and Aoraki Mount Cook are somewhat similar when it comes to the fantastic scenery.

The famous beauty of Koh Lanta is one of the main draws. It's among Thailand's most beautiful islands and it's not as touristy or built up as some of the more popular areas.

Many visitors also come to Aoraki Mount Cook because of it's amazing beauty. As the highest peak in New Zealand, this is a stunningly beautiful destination with glaciers, pristine forests, and world class views.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook Better for Families?

Koh Lanta is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Aoraki Mount Cook is not as popular, but is still a nice mountain for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Koh Lanta. This is among the best island's in Thailand for kids. The waters are calm and the nightlife scene is relaxed. There are hotels that have kiddy pools and some even have kid's clubs. There are also kid-friendly menus at many of the restaurants.

Aoraki Mount Cook is a family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of short walks that are perfect for little legs. Kids will also enjoy the boat rides on the lakes and the area's superb stargazing.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook Better for Couples?

Both Koh Lanta and Aoraki Mount Cook are fantastic destinations for a couple's getaway.

Koh Lanta is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The laid back vibe offers a bit of romance for couples. The beaches are beautiful and the island isn't as built up as many islands are in Thailand. And while you'll find places to go in the evening near the backpacker areas, most of the island has a chill and relaxed atmosphere.

Aoraki Mount Cook is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy the stunning glaciers, beautiful walks, and iconic views. Many couples take helicopter rides to fully experience the area. Stargazing and hiking is also high on the list of must-do romantic activities.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Lanta and Aoraki Mount Cook are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Lanta is a good island to visit for backpackers. You'll find backpackers on almost every island in Thailand, but this one is a bit more chill than most. It's not as touristy as most of the country's southern islands, but there are still enough amenities to make it comfortable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Aoraki Mount Cook. While many activities in the area are expensive, the hiking is world class and there are a few hostels and camping opportunities nearby.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Koh Lanta. There really isn't any public transit on the island. Most visitors hire taxis or rent motorbikes to get around.

Public transit is quite limited in Aoraki Mount Cook. Having a car is essential unless you take a private tour that provides transportation.

Is Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook a more walkable city?

Aoraki Mount Cook is a mountain with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Aoraki Mount Cook is generally not very walkable. While there are many trails through the region, you really must have a car to access the trail heads and efficiently get around.

Koh Lanta is not a very walkable island. While there are some parts of the island that can be explored on foot, most people get around by motorbike.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Lanta Worth Visiting? and Is Aoraki Mount Cook Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aoraki Mount Cook or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook?

It's fun to spend time in either Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Koh Lanta due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lanta, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aoraki Mount Cook.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Lanta than Aoraki Mount Cook. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Lanta that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Lanta than Aoraki Mount Cook 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 Koh Lanta.

One day in Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Koh Lanta, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

You'll find around the mountain of Aoraki Mount Cook. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful island of Koh Lanta, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

You'll find around the dramatic destination of Aoraki Mount Cook. 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 mountain has to offer. This mountain offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Koh Lanta, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the scenic mountain of Aoraki Mount Cook. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Lanta or Aoraki Mount Cook?

Koh Lanta is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Aoraki Mount Cook is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, and The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Aoraki Mount Cook, we can see that Aoraki Mount Cook is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Lanta is in Asia and Aoraki Mount Cook 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 Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Aoraki Mount Cook would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aoraki Mount Cook than you might in Koh Lanta.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Aoraki Mount Cook Expensive?.