A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lipe vs. Canberra for Couples, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Koh Lipe or Canberra?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Canberra can help you decide which place is right for you.

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a local, tranquil, and idyllic island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koh Lipe and Canberra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lipe or Canberra?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Canberra. Although Koh Lipe and Canberra are popular destinations, Canberra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Canberra is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Lipe attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Koh Lipe is famous for its world class scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as its small and local atmosphere. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves. It is also well known for the Australian War Memorial.

How is Koh Lipe different from Canberra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Lipe or Canberra?

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

Many visitors head to Canberra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lipe. The island is small and all about beaches and the undersea world, so you won't find any temples or museums here.

Is the Food Better in Koh Lipe or Canberra? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Canberra is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Lipe is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Canberra makes for a great culinary experience. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Koh Lipe has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's enough of a restaurant selection that you'll find good local food and freshly caught seafood. The options change frequently as the tourist crowds have varied dramatically over the years, making it difficult for businesses to stay open.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra Better for Nightlife?

Canberra is very good for nightlife. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koh Lipe This is a small island that attracts tourists who want nature, beauty, and a serene and tranquil environment. You won't find much of a nightlife scene here.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra Better for Resorts?

Koh Lipe is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Canberra is not a resort destination.

Koh Lipe is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of locally owned hotels on the island. Many have snorkeling gear for rent.

Canberra is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lipe is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. However, Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Koh Lipe a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. Although it is no longer the undiscovered island paradise that it once was, the snorkeling and diving on Koh Lipe remains some of the best in the country.

Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra Better for Beaches?

Koh Lipe is terrific for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Lipe. Despite the island's small size, the beaches are truly spectacular. They have white sand and the undersea world is just steps away, so don't forget your mask and snorkel.

Canberra is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra Better for Hiking?

Koh Lipe is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Lipe. The island of Koh Lipe doesn't have any hiking, but nearby Adang Island has some impressive hikes that offer views and small waterfalls. You can take a longtail boat for just a short ride to the nearby island.

Many people include a hike when visiting Canberra. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lipe or Canberra?

Canberra is very good for shopping. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for its shopping opportunities.

Canberra is a great destination for shopping. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Lipe has some nice offerings. The Walking Street is the main street through the island. Its where you'll find the island's shops and restaurants. Most are closed during the morning hours, but people begin to gather in the afternoon.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Koh Lipe or Canberra.

Koh Lipe is a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a perfect island to explore with kids. There are beautiful beaches, great snorkeling, and plenty of opportunities to check out wildlife. Your kids will also enjoy seeing the Sea la vie fire show.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Canberra is very family-friendly. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra Better for Couples?

Koh Lipe is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Koh Lipe makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its stunning beaches and beautiful nature, this is a great couple's destination. The island has wonderful snorkeling and white sandy beaches that are perfect for exploring with a loved one.

Canberra is a good island for couples to visit. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Lipe is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Koh Lipe. The island has become more popular than it was in years past, but it still offers a tranquil setting for those who are a bit jaded by the backpacker scene in Thailand.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra Better for Students?

Canberra is a great destination for students. However, Koh Lipe is not popular with students.

Canberra is very popular with students. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Koh Lipe is not popular with students.

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

Canberra is very good for its public transit. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Canberra, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Public transit is mostly limited in Koh Lipe. There are longtail boats, motorbike taxis, and golf cart taxis that you can hire.

Is Koh Lipe or Canberra a more walkable city?

Koh Lipe is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Koh Lipe is a very walkable island. It's an easy island to explore on foot and you can walk from one end of the island to the other in about half an hour.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable island. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Lipe Worth Visiting? and Is Canberra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Canberra or Koh Lipe?

How long in Koh Lipe or Canberra?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Lipe and Canberra. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Lipe than in Canberra. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lipe, and 2-3 days is enough time in Canberra.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Lipe than Canberra 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 Lipe.

One day in Koh Lipe or Canberra?

The beautiful island of Koh Lipe offers scuba diving and snorkeling 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.

The city of Canberra offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Koh Lipe or Canberra?

Koh Lipe is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Koh Lipe or Canberra?

Koh Lipe is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Lipe, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Canberra is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Koh Lipe or Canberra?

Koh Lipe is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Lipe has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

Canberra is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe or Canberra?

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

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Canberra in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Canberra. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koh Lipe is a little warmer than Canberra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lipe in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Canberra averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.

Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in July than Canberrain January. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Canberra in the Autumn?

Both Canberra and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.

In October, Koh Lipe is generally much warmer than Canberrain April. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. In October, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Canberrain April. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Lipe is December to April. The rainy season in Koh Lipe is May to October.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Canberra in the Winter?

Both Canberra and Koh Lipe during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Koh Lipe is much warmer than Canberra in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in July.

Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in January than Canberrain July. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Canberra in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Canberra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round. Also, many visitors come to Canberra in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Koh Lipe is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lipe in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Canberra averages at about 15°C (60°F)in October.

Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Canberrain October. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe.

Typical Weather for Canberra and Koh Lipe