A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lanta vs. Nagano for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Resorts

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Nagano?

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 Nagano 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 tranquil, peaceful, and quiet island. Many visitors also come to Koh Lanta because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Koh Lanta travel costs.

Nagano

Nagano is a historic, traditional, and alpine city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of Nagano is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing. See Nagano travel costs.

Koh Lanta and Nagano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Nagano?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nagano than Koh Lanta, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nagano is better known for its skiing, museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Lanta is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Nagano is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Also, Nagano is famous for Zenko-ji Temple. Koh Lanta is well known for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park.

How is Koh Lanta different from Nagano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Koh Lanta or Nagano Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Koh Lanta is not a skiing destination.

People head to Nagano specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Koh Lanta is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Lanta or Nagano?

Nagano is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

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 Nagano? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Koh Lanta and Nagano both to be great destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Koh Lanta. 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.

Nagano has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Is Koh Lanta or Nagano Better for Nightlife?

Nagano is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Nagano know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

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.

Is Koh Lanta or Nagano Better for Resorts?

Koh Lanta is a great island for its luxury resorts. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.

In Koh Lanta, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

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

Koh Lanta is a great island for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Lanta is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Nagano is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Nagano Better for Beaches?

Koh Lanta is terrific for the beach. However, Nagano is not a beach destination.

Koh Lanta is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Nagano Better for its Old Town?

Nagano is a city with good options for its old town. However, Koh Lanta does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Nagano to see the old town. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Koh Lanta does not have a historic old town.

Is Koh Lanta or Nagano Better for Hiking?

Both Koh Lanta and Nagano are destinations which offer great hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Lanta. 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.

Many visitors go to Nagano for the hiking trails. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lanta or Nagano?

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

Nagano offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

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 Nagano More Beautiful?

Koh Lanta is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Koh Lanta because of it's amazing beauty. It's among Thailand's most beautiful islands and it's not as touristy or built up as some of the more popular areas.

With stunning beauty, Nagano attracts visitors from all around. The city is found in a beautiful part of Japan. It's surrounded by mountains and filled with history and historic sights.

Is Koh Lanta or Nagano Better for Families?

Both Koh Lanta and Nagano are great to visit with kids.

Koh Lanta is a very kid-friendly island. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nagano. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Is Koh Lanta or Nagano Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

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.

Nagano is a good island for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

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

Koh Lanta and Nagano are notable 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 Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Koh Lanta or Nagano Better for Students?

Nagano is a city with good options for students. However, Koh Lanta is not popular with students.

Nagano is popular with students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Koh Lanta is not popular with students.

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

Nagano is a city 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 Nagano, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

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 Nagano a more walkable city?

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

Nagano is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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 Nagano Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagano or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Nagano?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Lanta and Nagano. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Lanta than in Nagano. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lanta, and 1-3 days is enough time in Nagano.

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

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

One day in Koh Lanta or Nagano?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Koh Lanta. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the city of Nagano. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nagano has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Lanta or Nagano?

Koh Lanta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic destination of Nagano. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Lanta or Nagano?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lanta. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic city of Nagano. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Lanta or Nagano?

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the quiet destination of Koh Lanta. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Nagano 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Nagano, we can see that Nagano is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano 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 Nagano Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Nagano?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Nagano, 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 Nagano?

Nagano 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 Nagano in the Summer?

Both Nagano and Koh Lanta during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Nagano in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the summer, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in July than Nagano. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Nagano in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Nagano. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Also, many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Koh Lanta is much warmer than Nagano. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lanta in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagano averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during autumn. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Nagano. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Nagano in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Nagano. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Nagano in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nagano can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Koh Lanta is generally much warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (80°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Lanta this time of the year. In the winter, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in January than Nagano. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Nagano in the Spring?

Both Nagano and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Koh Lanta is much warmer than Nagano in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during spring. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In April, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Nagano. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Koh Lanta is January to April. The rainy season in Koh Lanta is June to September.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Koh Lanta