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

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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 quiet, beautiful, and off-the-beaten-path island. Koh Lanta is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Koh Lanta travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Wellington travel costs.

Koh Lanta and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Wellington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Wellington than Koh Lanta, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Wellington is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping, while Koh Lanta is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Wellington is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Also, Wellington is famous for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. 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 Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Wellington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

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 Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Koh Lanta and Wellington both to be excellent 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.

Wellington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Koh Lanta or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington 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 Wellington know how to have a good time. 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.

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 Wellington Better for Resorts?

Koh Lanta is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington is not a resort destination.

Koh Lanta is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Lanta is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Koh Lanta is a must-visit destination for the beach. 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 Lanta. 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.

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 Lanta or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Koh Lanta is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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 people include a hike when visiting Wellington. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lanta or Wellington?

Wellington is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Wellington is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

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 Wellington More Beautiful?

Koh Lanta is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Koh Lanta is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's among Thailand's most beautiful islands and it's not as touristy or built up as some of the more popular areas.

Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Lanta or Wellington Better for Families?

Both Koh Lanta and Wellington are excellent 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 Wellington. 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 Lanta or Wellington Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Koh Lanta makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

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 Lanta or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Wellington is a great city 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.

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 Wellington Better for Students?

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

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Koh Lanta is not popular with students.

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

Wellington is a great destination for its public transit. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Wellington can get you to some places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington 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.

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

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Wellington?

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

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

One day in Koh Lanta or Wellington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the tranquil island of Koh Lanta, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Lanta or Wellington?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Koh Lanta, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

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 Lanta or Wellington?

Koh Lanta, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 compact 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 Lanta or Wellington?

Koh Lanta 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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing 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 Lanta and Wellington, we can see that Wellington 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 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 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 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 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 Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Wellington?

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

Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Wellington. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Koh Lanta is much warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wellington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Lanta this time of the year. In the summer, Koh Lanta often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin January. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.

Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Koh Lanta is the rainy season.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Wellington in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Koh Lanta is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lanta in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during autumn. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In October, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin April. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Koh Lanta during the winter 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 winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Koh Lanta is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (80°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the winter, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin July. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

Koh Lanta is much warmer than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

In Koh Lanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during spring. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin October. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Koh Lanta