A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Tarutao vs. Byron Bay for Beaches, Food, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Koh Tarutao

Koh Tarutao is a secluded, remote, and beautiful island. The beauty of Koh Tarutao is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches and hiking. See Koh Tarutao travel costs.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a relaxed, mellow, and vegan-friendly town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, Byron Bay attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and hiking. See Byron Bay travel costs.

Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Byron Bay. Although Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay are both popular with visitors, Byron Bay has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Byron Bay is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, shopping, and small town charm, while Koh Tarutao is known for its hiking. Byron Bay is more touristy than Koh Tarutao and is popular for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals. It is also home to Cape Byron Lighthouse. Koh Tarutao is popular for its secluded beauty and undiscovered paradise setting.

How is Koh Tarutao different from Byron Bay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

Koh Tarutao offers a few options for museum-goers. This island is all about remote natural settings that will take your breath away, but you won't find anything in the form of temples or museums.

Is the Food Better in Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Byron Bay has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

Koh Tarutao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are three restaurants on the island that have limited hours so, if possible, it's best to arrive with some snacks. The food is simple and can get repetitive if you eat the same meals several days in a row.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay Better for Nightlife?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Byron Bay has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Koh Tarutao. There's a good chance you'll have this island almost completely to yourself. The few restaurants on the island close early and you'll likely head to bed early after taking in the stunning night sky.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay Better for Resorts?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Byron Bay to choose from. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

While Koh Tarutao is not known as a resort destination, there are some nice places to stay. You won't find luxury resorts (or any resorts) on the island. What you will find is simple bungalows, or tents available for rent at the ranger stations.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay Better for Beaches?

Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay both offer fantastic beaches.

Koh Tarutao offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. A true island paradise, you'll find isolated beaches here that are so remote that you'll likely have them to yourself for large parts of the day.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Byron Bay. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay Better for Hiking?

Koh Tarutao is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Koh Tarutao is a popular spot for hiking. There are hiking trails through mangrove coves, inland through the dramatic vegetation, and up cliffs to impressive viewpoints.

Byron Bay offers some nice hiking trails. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Byron Bay. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

Koh Tarutao has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a small shop at the visitor center where you can pick up simple drinks and snacks.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of very good scenery and beauty in both Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay.

With stunning beauty, Koh Tarutao attracts visitors from all around. Beautiful undeveloped beaches and stunning natural environments make this a truly unique destination.

Byron Bay is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's pristine beaches and laid back style make it a beautiful and relaxing place to visit.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay Better for Families?

Both Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay are good family-friendly destinations.

Koh Tarutao is a family-friendly island. For families who want seclusion, this beautiful island is the place to spend a night or two. There are great beaches, interesting hikes, and kayaks available to visitors.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Byron Bay. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay Better for Couples?

Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay both very good destinations for a couple.

Koh Tarutao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a truly remote experience, couples will enjoy this often overlooked island. There are hikes and isolated beaches that offer romance in its most simple form.

Couples visit Byron Bay frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Byron Bay is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Byron Bay. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Koh Tarutao. Most backpackers overlook this beautiful island for the more party-oriented destinations of Thailand, but those who spend a night or two here will be rewarded with a truly unique and authentic experience.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay.

Public transit is mostly limited in Koh Tarutao. There are shuttle taxis that travel around the island at fixed times. You can also rent a mountain bike at the ranger stations.

Public transit is generally limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay a more walkable city?

Byron Bay is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Byron Bay is a somewhat walkable town. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

Koh Tarutao is generally not very walkable. The island is quite large and difficult to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Tarutao Worth Visiting? and Is Byron Bay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Byron Bay or Koh Tarutao?

How long in Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

Both Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Byron Bay than in Koh Tarutao. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Koh Tarutao, and 3-7 days is enough time in Byron Bay.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Byron Bay than Koh Tarutao 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 Byron Bay.

One day in Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

You'll find around the island of Koh Tarutao. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vegan-friendly town of Byron Bay. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

You'll find around the secluded destination of Koh Tarutao. 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 island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the Bohemian destination of Byron Bay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the undiscovered island of Koh Tarutao. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the carefree town of Byron Bay. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

Koh Tarutao 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Byron Bay. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in 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 Tarutao and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tarutao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Tarutao is in Asia and Byron Bay 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 Tarutao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tarutao 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay than you might in Koh Tarutao.

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

When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay?

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

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Byron Bay. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koh Tarutao is generally a little warmer than Byron Bayin January. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Byron Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin April. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Tarutao in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 14°C (58°F)in July.

Koh Tarutao usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Byron Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Also, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Koh Tarutao is generally much warmer than Byron Bayin October. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 29°C (85°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin October. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Koh Tarutao