A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samui vs. Taupo for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koh Samui or Taupo?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Taupo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a tropical, rainforest-covered, and lush resort island. The famous beauty of Koh Samui is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Koh Samui travel costs.

Taupo

Taupo is a otherworldly, striking, and stunning town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Taupo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Taupo travel costs.

Koh Samui and Taupo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Taupo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koh Samui. Although Koh Samui and Taupo are both popular with visitors, Koh Samui has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koh Samui is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Taupo is known for its skiing, museums and attractions, and small town charm. Koh Samui is more touristy than Taupo and is popular for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. It is also home to The Big Buddha Temple. Taupo is popular for its thermal hot springs, dramatic landscapes, and world class hikes.

How is Koh Samui different from Taupo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Koh Samui or Taupo Better for Skiing?

Taupo is an amazing town to visit for skiing. However, Koh Samui is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Taupo should be on your list. Nearby Mount Ruapehu offers access to the longest running ski season in both Australia and New Zealand. From June until October you can enjoy the largest commercial ski areas around. There are options for everyone from young beginners to experts. The two main ski resorts in the area are Whakapapa Ski Area and Tūroa Ski Area.

Koh Samui is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Samui or Taupo?

Taupo is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Taupo. Stunning natural beauty and adventure-filled activities are what Taupo is all about, but you won't find much in the form of museums.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Koh Samui or Taupo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Taupo can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Koh Samui has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Food on the island is fresh and delicious. You'll find fine dining restaurants as well as hole-in-the-wall dives where you can enjoy local flavors. There are also international restaurants if you need a break from the curries. Beachfront restaurants offer a beautiful setting and sunset dinner cruises are a not-to-be-missed experience. Authentically local dishes usually include some form of coconut but there are also other common Thai dishes available almost anywhere like curries or Pad Thai.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Taupo makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with local restaurants that make use of local ingredients such as fresh caught trout, local produce, and wild game. The town also has many farmers markets and a strong cafe culture.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Koh Samui is a world class party destination. All night beach parties, cheap bars, and lively dance clubs all give this island its party atmosphere. Young travelers from around the globe head here to enjoy music, cheap drinks, and world class fun. For the most active nightlife, head to Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach or Bophut Beach.

If you're looking for night time activities Taupo has a few options to choose from. It's a small resort town that is active during the day and night. There are low key activities in the evening like soaking in the thermal hot pools or grabbing a drink at a bar.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Taupo is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Koh Samui is a great choice. The island is filled with countless resorts, hotels, and private villas that you can rent. You can choose from beachfront properties or resorts that are located in the hills, which offer beautiful views. The resorts often have pools and range from five star all the way down to budget-friendly.

Taupo is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Koh Samui. It's easy to arrange snorkeling or scuba diving trips through hotels or travel companies, but it's also possible to snorkel right off the shore in places like Chaweng Beach. Due to the island's popularity, the coral isn't always the healthiest, but the water is clear and you'll likely see some interesting sea life just off the shore.

Taupo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Taupo is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Samui. The white sand beaches are lined with coconut trees and look out on crystal blue waters, making this a perfect tropical destination. There are lively activity-filled beaches as well as quiet retreats where you can enjoy a peaceful setting away from the crowds.

Taupo is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Koh Samui and Taupo both have high quality trails.

Many visitors go to Koh Samui for the hiking trails. Hikes will take you inland through the beautiful rainforest. There are hidden waterfalls as well as Buddha gardens and ridge trails with breathtaking views. Hikes range from easy to challenging, so make sure you understand the skill level required before you set out.

Taupo is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful hikes that take you through the natural beauty. During the fall season you can enjoy the fall foliage and during the summer months the wildlife and waterfront setting is at a peak.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Taupo?

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Samui and Taupo both offer plenty of good spots.

Koh Samui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The resort areas have the most interesting shops and you'll find the most options around Chaweng. There are boutique shops as well as some malls. You can sometimes negotiate prices down in independently run stores, but some places advertise fixed prices.

Taupo is a great destination for shopping. The lakefront town has a nice, pedestrian-friendly stretch with boutique shops, fashion outlets, and souvenir vendors.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo More Beautiful?

Koh Samui is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Koh Samui is one of the main draws. It's laid back vibe and quintessential beach setting make this a wonderful holiday destination. It's the second largest island in Thailand and there are resorts, hotels, and restaurants for everyone.

Taupo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Set against the lake, there is stunning natural beauty in the area and many breathtaking views.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo Better for Families?

Taupo is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Taupo is a very family-friendly destination. Set on the edge of Lake Taupo, there are many family-friendly activities in the area like swimming, boating, and hiking. There are also thermal hot springs and in the winter months skiing. Families who enjoy outdoor adventures will find no shortage of options year round.

Koh Samui is a very family-friendly place to visit. The island is one of the slightly calmer, family-friendly options in Thailand. It has a number of activities that all ages can enjoy including water parks, water sports, and temples to explore. Snorkeling is also fun and there's an aquarium and zoo that you can check out.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo Better for Couples?

Taupo is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for romance.

Taupo makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Honeymooners and couples who enjoy romantic scenery, beautiful sunsets, and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this area. You can soak in thermal hot springs and picnic next to beautiful waterfalls. There are also breathtaking hikes and great water activities.

Koh Samui is a very popular place to visit for couples. Dinner cruises, beachfront restaurants, and beautiful sunsets all make this island a romantic destination for couples. There are also spas, resorts, and fine dining restaurants that you can enjoy.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Taupo is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Taupo, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. There's plenty of backpacker and hostel accommodation in the area. There are also free outdoor activities and adrenaline-filled adventures that backpackers will enjoy.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Koh Samui. The island feels a bit more like a holiday destination than a backpacker destination, but it still has a lively nightlife and affordable accommodation around Lamai Beach. It's also a nice place to go for yoga or Muay Thai classes.

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

Koh Samui and Taupo both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Koh Samui offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Taupo has a few public transit options. There are local bus service, the Taupo Connector, that travels around the town center. If you want to get outside of town, you'll need to have a car.

Is Koh Samui or Taupo a more walkable city?

Taupo is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Taupo is a somewhat walkable town. The town is fairly compact, but if you want to efficiently get around and experience everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Koh Samui is generally not very walkable. The roads have a good amount of traffic and generally aren't designed for walking.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Samui Worth Visiting? and Is Taupo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Taupo or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Taupo?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Taupo than Koh Samui 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 Taupo.

One day in Koh Samui or Taupo?

In Koh Samui, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this laid back destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Taupo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Samui or Taupo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Samui. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find shopping and skiing around the stunning destination of Taupo. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Taupo?

Koh Samui is a fun place to experience. In Koh Samui, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the striking town of Taupo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the skiing. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Samui or Taupo?

In Koh Samui, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this tropical destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Taupo 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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Taupo?

Koh Samui has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Taupo. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Taupo, 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.