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

Should you visit Koh Lipe or Picton?

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 Picton can help you decide which place is right for you.

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a small, local, and tranquil island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Picton

Picton is a relaxing, picturesque, and scenic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Koh Lipe and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lipe or Picton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Picton than Koh Lipe, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Picton is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Koh Lipe is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Picton is more touristy than Koh Lipe and is known for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails. Also, Picton is famous for the Queen Charlotte Track. Koh Lipe is well known for its world class scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as its small and local atmosphere.

How is Koh Lipe different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Picton is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

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 Picton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picton 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, Picton makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

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 Picton Better for Nightlife?

Picton is a town with a few options for nightlife. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Picton is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

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 Picton Better for Resorts?

Koh Lipe is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Picton is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Koh Lipe to choose from. There are a number of locally owned hotels on the island. Many have snorkeling gear for rent.

Picton is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Lipe is very popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Koh Lipe. 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.

Picton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Picton Better for Beaches?

Koh Lipe is very popular for the beach. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

Koh Lipe offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Picton is considered a top beach destination. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Is Koh Lipe or Picton Better for Hiking?

You'll find high quality hiking in both Koh Lipe and Picton.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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 visitors go to Picton for the hiking trails. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lipe or Picton?

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

Picton is a great destination for shopping. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

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 Picton Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Koh Lipe or Picton.

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, Picton is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Koh Lipe or Picton Better for Couples?

Koh Lipe is very popular for couples. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

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

Picton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

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

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

Backpackers come from all over to visit Picton. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

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

Picton 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 Picton, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

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 Picton a more walkable city?

Koh Lipe and Picton both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Koh Lipe is very walkable. 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.

Picton is a very walkable island. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Picton or Koh Lipe?

How long in Koh Lipe or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Lipe or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Lipe than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lipe, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

Families should spend more time in Koh Lipe than Picton. 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 Picton. 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 Picton than Koh Lipe 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 Picton.

One day in Koh Lipe or Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Koh Lipe. 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.

The town of Picton offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Koh Lipe or Picton?

Koh Lipe is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Koh Lipe or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lipe. 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.

Picton 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 Picton?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the local destination of Koh Lipe. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Picton is a great place to explore. 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 town 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Picton, we can see that Picton is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Koh Lipe is in Asia and Picton is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Picton Expensive?.

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

Picton 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 Picton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Picton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Koh Lipe is generally much warmer than Pictonin January. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Pictonin January. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Picton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Picton. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Picton because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Koh Lipe is much warmer than Picton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in October than Pictonin April. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. May to October in Koh Lipe is the rainy season.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In the winter, Koh Lipe is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Lipe in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Picton averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Picton. In January, Koh Lipe usually receives less rain than Pictonin July. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Picton in the Spring?

Both Picton and Koh Lipe during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Koh Lipe is generally much warmer than Pictonin October. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 29°C (85°F), and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in April than Pictonin October. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Koh Lipe. May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe.

Typical Weather for Picton and Koh Lipe