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

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Katoomba?

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 Katoomba 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. You'll find world class beauty in Koh Lanta as well. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Koh Lanta travel costs.

Katoomba

Katoomba is a relaxing, breathtaking , and stunning town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of Katoomba is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Katoomba travel costs.

Koh Lanta and Katoomba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Katoomba?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Lanta. Although Koh Lanta and Katoomba are popular destinations, Koh Lanta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Lanta is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Katoomba attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, hiking, shopping, and small town charm. Katoomba is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is known for its natural scenery, beautiful hikes, and its location in the Blue Mountains. Koh Lanta is famous for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park. It is also well known for Long Beach.

How is Koh Lanta different from Katoomba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Katoomba is a town with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Katoomba offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. For many, the town is used as a base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Scenic World is a great way to take in the highlights. It's also fun to check out the local street art.

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.

Is the Food Better in Koh Lanta or Katoomba? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koh Lanta is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Koh Lanta makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Katoomba has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many of the restaurants work hard to support local farmers and suppliers. You'll find local ingredients and homemade meals. The restaurant scene is growing, but many restaurants are still affiliated with hotels and tourist attractions.

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Koh Lanta or Katoomba has a better nightlife scene.

Koh Lanta has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Katoomba has a few options to choose from. It's not known for its nightlife scene, but there are some relaxed places where you can enjoy craft beer or see a show. Katoomba is the hub of nightlife in the Blue Mountains.

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba Better for Resorts?

Koh Lanta is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Katoomba 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.

Katoomba is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lanta is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Katoomba 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.

Katoomba is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba Better for Beaches?

Koh Lanta is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Katoomba 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.

Katoomba is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba Better for Hiking?

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

Around Katoomba visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains, this town offers access to some of the area's best hikes. You'll see waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and lush landscapes.

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 Katoomba?

Katoomba is a town with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Katoomba offers some nice shopping areas. There are local markets and boutiques where you can pick up local items and handicrafts.

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.

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba More Beautiful?

Koh Lanta and Katoomba 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 Katoomba because of it's amazing beauty. It's a town surrounded by natural beauty. It offers easy access to breathtaking views and impressive hikes through the Blue Mountains.

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba Better for Families?

Katoomba is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Katoomba is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The surrounding Blue Mountains are filled with activities for the whole family. Scenic World is a highlight with its cable cars and skyway. There are also gardens, hiking trails, and cultural centers. Kids who love trains will enjoy Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.

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.

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Katoomba is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Koh Lanta is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Katoomba makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are world class gardens like the Everglades Gardens, restaurants where you can enjoy high tea with a view, as well as hikes that will take your breath away. For the truly adventurous, there are also helicopter tours.

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Katoomba is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Katoomba is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are hostels in the area, as well as camping opportunities. Backpackers will appreciate the scenic beauty and natural setting.

Plenty of backpackers visit Koh Lanta. 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.

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

Katoomba is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Katoomba, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through the Blue Mountains but it's easier to explore in depth if you have your own car.

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

Is Koh Lanta or Katoomba a more walkable city?

Katoomba is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Katoomba is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively walkable.

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 Katoomba Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Katoomba or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Katoomba?

It's fun to spend time in either Koh Lanta or Katoomba. 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 Katoomba.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Lanta than Katoomba. 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 Katoomba than Koh Lanta 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 Katoomba.

One day in Koh Lanta or Katoomba?

The beautiful island of Koh Lanta offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

Koh Lanta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Lanta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Katoomba is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Lanta or Katoomba?

Koh Lanta is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Lanta, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Katoomba 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. 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 Katoomba?

Koh Lanta is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

Katoomba 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Katoomba?

Katoomba has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Katoomba, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta or Katoomba?

Katoomba has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Lanta experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Katoomba in the Summer?

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

In July, Koh Lanta is generally a little warmer than Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In Koh Lanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives less sunshine than Katoomba during summer. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

Katoomba receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Katoomba in the Autumn?

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

Koh Lanta is much warmer than Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.

In the autumn, Koh Lanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katoombain April. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun.

Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Katoombain April. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Katoomba in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Koh Lanta is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Lanta in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Katoomba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Katoomba during winter. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Katoombain July. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Lanta is January to April.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Katoomba in the Spring?

Both Katoomba and Koh Lanta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Koh Lanta is generally much warmer than Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 29°C (85°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the spring, Koh Lanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katoombain October. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in April than Katoombain October. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Koh Lanta