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

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Nelson?

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 Nelson. 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for beaches and hiking.

Nelson

Nelson is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Koh Tarutao and Nelson: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Tarutao or Nelson?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nelson than Koh Tarutao, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nelson is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Koh Tarutao is more popular for its resorts. Nelson is more touristy than Koh Tarutao and is popular for its stunning national parks, beautiful coastline, and outdoor adventures. Also, Nelson is famous for Abel Tasman National Park. Koh Tarutao is well known for its secluded beauty and undiscovered paradise setting.

How is Koh Tarutao different from Nelson?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nelson is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Nelson. While most people spend their time enjoying the nature-oriented activities, there are several museums in the area as well. Founder's Heritage Park Museum is a village-like setting that you can explore. There's also the Nelson Classic Car Museum and local art and craft galleries that are fun to walk through.

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 Nelson? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Nelson has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local ingredients, vineyards, and craft breweries all make the foodie scene around town interesting. There are many great restaurants that offer seasonal menus that change with the season. Eating is an experience in town, and locals take pride in the food they produce.

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 Nelson Better for Nightlife?

Nelson is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Nelson. The city attracts a good tourist crowd, and there are bars and clubs that keep things interesting late into the evening.

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 Nelson Better for Resorts?

Koh Tarutao is not a good place to visit for its resorts. However, Nelson is not a resort destination.

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.

Nelson is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nelson Better for Beaches?

Koh Tarutao and Nelson 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 Nelson. Beaches in the area are sandy and most are great for swimming. There are many water sports available as well such as kayaking, kite surfing, and paddleboarding. You'll find locals and tourists alike hanging out at the beach and enjoying a barbecue.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nelson Better for Hiking?

Nelson is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Nelson is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The area is filled with walking and hiking trails that wander along the coast and soak up the spectacular views. There are also three national parks in the area that are filled with trails. Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, and Nelson Lakes National Park each have their own environments and scenery to explore.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Tarutao. There are hiking trails through mangrove coves, inland through the dramatic vegetation, and up cliffs to impressive viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Tarutao or Nelson?

Nelson is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for shopping.

Nelson has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are weekly markets in the area and a variety of retail shops where you can pick up anything you might need.

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 Nelson Better for Families?

Nelson is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Nelson is very family-friendly. Surrounded by family-friendly national parks, this city has a number of things for kids to do. In particularly, Abel Tasman National Park is a highlight for kids, with canoeing, sailing and other activities. Kids will also enjoy a visit to Cable Bay Adventure Park or seeing the historically themed Founders Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Koh Tarutao. 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.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nelson Better for Couples?

Nelson is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Nelson is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Wilderness, national parks, beaches, and mountain scenery make this a wonderful couples destination. The area also has beautiful vineyards and gardens as well hiking and outdoor adventures.

Couples visit Koh Tarutao frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nelson Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nelson is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Nelson, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. There are many hostels in the area as well as outdoor activities and adventure sports that backpackers will love.

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 Nelson Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Koh Tarutao and Nelson.

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 Nelson. The city has a local bus network, but to efficiently explore everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Is Koh Tarutao or Nelson a more walkable city?

Nelson is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Nelson is a very walkable destination. There are many great walks in the area and its a wonderful way to get around.

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 Nelson Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nelson or Koh Tarutao?

How long in Koh Tarutao or Nelson?

In either Koh Tarutao or Nelson, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nelson than Koh Tarutao because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Koh Tarutao, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nelson.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nelson 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 Nelson.

One day in Koh Tarutao or Nelson?

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Koh Tarutao. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Nelson. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Nelson?

Koh Tarutao is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Nelson. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city 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 Nelson?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Tarutao. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the natural city of Nelson. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Nelson?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the undiscovered destination of Koh Tarutao. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nelson. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Koh Tarutao and Nelson, we can see that Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao is in Asia and Nelson 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 Tarutao Expensive? and Is Nelson Expensive?.