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

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Torquay?

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 Torquay 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 off-the-beaten-path, tranquil, and peaceful island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, nightlife, and food.

Torquay

Torquay is a casual, laid back, and hip surf town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koh Lanta and Torquay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Torquay?

Both Torquay and Koh Lanta have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Koh Lanta is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty, while Torquay is more popular for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Torquay is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is popular for its world renowned surfing scene and its relaxed atmosphere. 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 Torquay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Torquay offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Australian National Surfing Museum, which goes into the sports history and influence on the region.

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 Torquay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koh Lanta is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Koh Lanta has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Torquay area. You'll find all of the classic beach town options. There are pizza places, international restaurants, and seafood. All kinds of styles are available ranging from modern, upscale, and trendy to casual and affordable.

Is Koh Lanta or Torquay Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Koh Lanta or Torquay 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 Torquay has a few options to choose from. There's a laid back vibe with several great pubs, breweries, and clubs where people hang out.

Is Koh Lanta or Torquay Better for Resorts?

Koh Lanta is great for its luxury resorts. However, Torquay is not a resort destination.

Koh Lanta is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Torquay is not a resort destination.

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

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

Many visitors go to Koh Lanta to enjoy 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.

Torquay is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Torquay Better for Beaches?

Both Koh Lanta and Torquay are considered to be first-rate beach destinations.

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.

Torquay offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The town is along the Great Ocean Road, and there are a huge number of beaches that are popular for surfing. There are also nudist beaches as well as family-friendly areas. The most convenient beach is Torquay Surf Beach, which is popular with surfers. For calmer water, check out Torquay Front Beach, and for the most iconic surfing beach in the area, visit Bells Beach.

Is Koh Lanta or Torquay Better for Hiking?

Both Koh Lanta and Torquay are destinations which offer high quality 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 Torquay for the hiking trails. There are many coastal walks in the area that range from a few hours to several days. One of the more well known ones is the Surf Coast Walk, which goes on for days and passes by stunning viewpoints and beautiful landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lanta or Torquay?

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

Torquay offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find the standard shopping centers with everything from boutiques to major brands.

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 Torquay Better for Families?

Koh Lanta is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Koh Lanta is very family-friendly. 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.

Torquay is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people think of great surf when they think of this town, but there are some secluded places like Cozy Corner, which is good for kids. There are also many outdoor activities like walks and snorkeling at Point Danger Marine Sanctuary.

Is Koh Lanta or Torquay Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Torquay is not as popular, but is still a nice surf town for couples.

Koh Lanta has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Torquay is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its amazing beaches, popular surfing, and countless outdoor activities, there's plenty for couples to enjoy around town. You can also head to the vineyards at Bellbrae Estate, check out the local breweries, or take a long walk along the coast.

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

Koh Lanta and Torquay 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 Torquay. Surfing is the big draw for backpackers to the area. There are a handful of hostels and excellent beaches that make this a great stop off for anyone in the area.

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

Torquay is a surf 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 Torquay, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel to town from the surrounding areas.

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 Torquay a more walkable city?

Torquay is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Torquay is a very walkable surf town. The Torquay Promenade Walk offers a great place to stroll along the waterfront. You'll pass by view points and many restaurants and cafes.

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 Torquay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Torquay or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Torquay?

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

Families should spend more time in Koh Lanta than Torquay. 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 Torquay. 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 Torquay 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 Torquay.

One day in Koh Lanta or Torquay?

In Koh Lanta, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the surf town of Torquay. 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 Lanta or Torquay?

In Koh Lanta, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Lanta has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the hip destination of Torquay. 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 surf town has to offer. This surf town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Lanta or Torquay?

Koh Lanta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Lanta has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the thriving surf town of Torquay. 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 Lanta or Torquay?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lanta. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Koh Lanta. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Torquay 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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Torquay?

Torquay has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Torquay, 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 Torquay?

Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?

Both Torquay 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Torquay because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

Torquay 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 Torquayin January. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Torquay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Torquay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.

In the autumn, Koh Lanta is a little warmer than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lanta in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Torquay in the Winter?

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

In January, Koh Lanta is generally much warmer than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (80°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in January than Torquayin July. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 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 Torquay in the Spring?

Both Torquay 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, many visitors come to Torquay in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Koh Lanta is a little warmer than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In April, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Torquayin October. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 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 Torquay and Koh Lanta