A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Matsue vs. Koh Phi Phi for Couples, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Matsue and Koh Phi Phi can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Matsue

Matsue is a pretty, serene, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a remote, tropical, and dramatic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Matsue and Koh Phi Phi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Phi Phi than Matsue, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Phi Phi is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Matsue is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Koh Phi Phi is more touristy than Matsue and is popular for its stunningly beautiful beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and wild booze cruises. Also, Koh Phi Phi is famous for Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay. Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Matsue different from Koh Phi Phi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

Matsue is great for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Matsue offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

Koh Phi Phi offers a few options for museum-goers. It's an island paradise with world class beaches and stunning natural beauty, but if you're looking for museums, temples, and culture, then you'll likely want to head farther north to Northern Thailand.

Is the Food Better in Matsue or Koh Phi Phi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Matsue is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Matsue has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Koh Phi Phi area. Most dishes feature seafood, and you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants around Tonsai Village. There are also restaurants dotting the way to Long Beach. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, or a combination of an indoor/outdoor setting. Tropical fruit is also abundant on the island and adds to that tropical paradise atmosphere.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi Better for Nightlife?

Koh Phi Phi is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Koh Phi Phi know how to have a good time. Despite its smaller size, there is still a party vibe and tons of nightlife on the island. Backpackers have long flocked to this island, building on the reputation it earned from movies like "The Beach." Booze cruises and all night beach parties are the norm here, so it won't be hard to find a party that lasts until sunrise.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi Better for Resorts?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Matsue is not a resort destination.

Koh Phi Phi is a world class resort vacation destination. Despite it's popularity with backpackers and small size, this island also has some of Thailand's most luxurious resorts. Head to Long Beach or Laem Tong to appreciate the quieter side of the island.

Matsue is not a resort destination.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Phi Phi is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The dramatic limestone cliffs and colorful coral make this a top scuba diving and snorkeling destination in Thailand. There are countless vendors who offer scuba diving or snorkeling trips from the island. You might even see sharks, sea turtles, or seahorses during your trip. Head to the reef at dusk for the best chance of seeing black tip reef sharks.

Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi Better for Beaches?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Matsue is not a beach destination.

Koh Phi Phi is considered to be a world-class beach destination. This island has some of the most dramatic beauty in Thailand and the beaches will not disappoint. Although it's usually referred to as an island, Koh Phi Phi is actually a small archipelago with Koh Phi Phi Don being the only inhabited island. Nearby Koh Phi Phi Leh is famous as the filming place of the movie "The Beach" (which you'll hear playing at hotels around the island every night). The beaches are beautiful with white sand and clear water. It truly is a tropical paradise.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a popular place for its old town. However, Koh Phi Phi does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Matsue. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Koh Phi Phi does not have a historic old town.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi Better for Hiking?

Koh Phi Phi is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Matsue is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Phi Phi. With its dramatic cliffs, this area has beautiful, but challenging hikes that take you to stunning viewpoints. The dramatic photos that you see of the islands often require a hike, but the reward at the end is well worth it.

Matsue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

Matsue is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Matsue. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Koh Phi Phi has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. Shopping is limited on the island but you'll find a few souvenir shops with trinkets that you can purchase. Because it's an island, you can expect prices to be high.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi Better for Families?

Matsue is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Koh Phi Phi is not the most family-friendly destination. This island is on the smaller side and it has a remote tropical island atmosphere. The best side of the island for families is the north end where you'll find the quietest and most beautiful beaches. It's best to avoid the area around Tonsai which has the highest concentration of backpackers and day trippers.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi Better for Couples?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Koh Phi Phi is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Stunning beaches, dramatic landscapes, excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and a remote tropical atmosphere make this is a great place for couples and honeymooners. Head to the quieter north side of the island where you'll find the better resorts and less backpackers, as well as the best beaches.

Matsue is a good town for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Phi Phi is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Koh Phi Phi. Most people visit this island as a day trip, but for those who linger, they'll be rewarded with dramatic landscapes and beautiful beaches. Most backpackers hang out around Tonsai where things are the cheapest, but the quality can also be very poor.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

Matsue is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its public transit.

Matsue has some very good public transit options. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

Koh Phi Phi has a few public transit options. There are water taxis and private boats that you can hire.

Is Matsue or Koh Phi Phi a more walkable city?

Matsue is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its ease of walking around.

Matsue is a very walkable town. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

Koh Phi Phi is a somewhat walkable town. You can't walk all of the way around the island because of the cliffs, but you can walk from Tonsai to Long Beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Matsue Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Phi Phi or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Matsue and Koh Phi Phi. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than Matsue 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 Phi Phi.

One day in Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the pretty town of Matsue. 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.

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

A weekend in Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quiet destination of Matsue. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Koh Phi Phi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

The peaceful town of Matsue offers museums and food. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

A week in Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Matsue. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Koh Phi Phi. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Matsue and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Koh Phi Phi, 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.

When is the best time to visit Matsue or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Should I visit Matsue or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Matsue during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

Matsue is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi in the summer. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Matsue. In the summer, Matsue often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun.

Koh Phi Phi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Koh Phi Phi. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Matsue or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Koh Phi Phi. Many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Matsue is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi during autumn. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Matsue usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Koh Phi Phi is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.

Should I visit Matsue or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Koh Phi Phi. Most visitors come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

Matsue can be very cold during winter. In January, Matsue is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In the winter, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Koh Phi Phi. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Phi Phi is the dry season.

Should I visit Matsue or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Matsue because of the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Matsue is much colder than Koh Phi Phi in the spring. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Phi Phi. Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during spring. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. It's quite rainy in Matsue. In April, Matsue usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Phi Phi. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November.

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Matsue