A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Nightlife, Beaches, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan? 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a cultural, progressive, and livable city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Melbourne travel costs.

Koh Pha Ngan

Koh Pha Ngan is a party-oriented, high energy, and funky party island. The beauty of Koh Pha Ngan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Koh Pha Ngan travel costs.

Melbourne and Koh Pha Ngan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Pha Ngan. Although Melbourne and Koh Pha Ngan are popular destinations, Koh Pha Ngan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Pha Ngan is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Melbourne attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities. Koh Pha Ngan is more touristy than Melbourne and is popular for its wild Full Moon Parties, large backpacker crowds, and strikingly beautiful beaches. It is also well known for the Full Moon Parties. Melbourne is famous for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population.

How is Melbourne different from Koh Pha Ngan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

Melbourne is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Many visitors head to Melbourne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

While most people don't head to Koh Pha Ngan specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Visitors come of the natural beauty, outdoor sports, and hardcore parties more than the sights and museums. Kuan Yin Temple is worth visiting, as is Wat Pho and Wat Phu Khao Noi.

Is the Food Better in Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Melbourne is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Melbourne makes for a great culinary experience. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Koh Pha Ngan has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There is frequent turnover in the restaurant scene around town, but there are a few mainstay restaurants that offer consistent and reliable Thai or international cuisine. In general, the food is fresh and the typical Thai favorites are available most places. Also make sure you check out the Thong Sala Night Market, which offers unique snacks and local dishes.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Nightlife?

Koh Pha Ngan is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Koh Pha Ngan is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island's famous Full Moon Parties have landed it on many lists for top party destinations around the world. These parties are held every month on the night of the full moon, with the biggest crowds between November and March. The parties are traditionally held at the beach in Haad Rin. If you miss the Full Moon Party, you can check out the Half Moon Festival on Baan Ti. During other times, you'll find a variety of different parties that capitalize on the party reputation of the island, so whenever you visit, you can enjoy some level of festivities.

Melbourne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Resorts?

Koh Pha Ngan is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Melbourne is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Koh Pha Ngan makes a nice vacation spot. Much of the island caters to the backpacker crowd, but there are some luxury resorts to choose from as well. Many resorts take advantage of the beautiful nature on the island or intentionally prioritize a serene environment where you can relax by the pool.

Melbourne is not a resort destination.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Pha Ngan is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Pha Ngan has a few good snorkeling spots. The island has its share of dive shops and a nice underwater setting where you can see coral and a variety of marine life. The island doesn't draw the huge diving crowds like some of the other islands, but that isn't always a bad thing.

Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Beaches?

Koh Pha Ngan is very popular for the beach. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Pha Ngan. The white sand beaches with turquoise blue waters make this island a truly beautiful destination. While most people think of beach parties and Full Moon Parties, the island also has some quieter beaches where you can relax in a peaceful paradise. The parties are mostly concentrated around Sunrise Beach in Haad Rin. This beach also has cheap bungalows that are popular with the backpacker crowd. For the quieter beaches, head to the northern side of the island around Hat Khuat and Hat Thian.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Hiking?

Koh Pha Ngan is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Pha Ngan. In its interior, the island has beautiful jungle and impressive hikes. Some of the best hikes are found in Than Sadet National Park, but come prepared because they can often be challenging. They usually end with a breathtaking viewpoint, secluded beach, or stunning waterfall though.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

Melbourne is well known for shopping. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Melbourne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Pha Ngan has some nice offerings. Although shopping isn't particularly popular on the island, it does offer a unique opportunity to support individual shop owners as there are more independently owned vendors on this island than in many other areas. Head to the markets and you'll find the most independent shops to support.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan More Beautiful?

Koh Pha Ngan is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Koh Pha Ngan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The island is more than just Full Moon Parties. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls as well as stunning beaches and eclectic yoga retreats.

Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Families?

Melbourne is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Melbourne is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

For families, Koh Pha Ngan is not always the best place to visit. Most people think of Full Moon Parties and backpacker crowds when they think of this island. There are actually some quieter areas on the eastern and northern sides of the island that are good for families. The activities are best suited for older kids and include hiking, windsurfing, yoga, and shopping.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Melbourne and Koh Pha Ngan make for a nice place to visit.

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Koh Pha Ngan is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy partying, yoga retreats, and outdoor exploration will find something for them on this island. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls as well as nice beaches and, of course, the wild parties.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Pha Ngan is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Koh Pha Ngan is extremely popular for backpackers. This island is synonymous with backpacker vibes and full moon parties. Head to the southern side of the island around Haad Rin and Ban Tai for the highest concentration of backpacker crowds. Like much of Thailand, there is frequent turnover in hostel ownership, so most reviews that you read online will be out of date. It's best to talk to people on the road to get the most up-to-date perspective.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Students?

Melbourne is a world-class destination for students. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Koh Pha Ngan is not popular with students.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Melbourne is well known for its public transit. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Public transit is mostly limited in Koh Pha Ngan. Your best bet for getting around the island without a private vehicle is Songthaew taxi, longtail boats, and rental mopeds.

Is Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan a more walkable city?

Melbourne is well known for its walkability. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Melbourne is very walkable. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

Koh Pha Ngan is a somewhat walkable place. It's possible, and even enjoyable, to walk from place to place around the island but allow yourself a lot of time and bring water because temperatures can be very warm.

For even more information, also check out Is Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

In either Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 3-5 days is enough time in Koh Pha Ngan.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Melbourne 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 Pha Ngan.

One day in Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

Each neighborhood in Melbourne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the party island of Koh Pha Ngan. 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.

A weekend in Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

Melbourne is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the party-oriented destination of Koh Pha Ngan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This party island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

Each neighborhood in Melbourne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find nightlife and food around the party-oriented party island of Koh Pha Ngan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this party island makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this party island has to offer.

A week in Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

Melbourne is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Koh Pha Ngan 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Melbourne during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

In January, Melbourne is generally cooler than Koh Pha Nganin July. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 20°C (68°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Koh Pha Nganin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Koh Pha Ngan. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Melbourne is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F)in October.

Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Nganin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan.

Should I visit Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

In the winter, Melbourne is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Melbourne in July average around 9°C (49°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Nganin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season.

Should I visit Melbourne or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Melbourne is generally much colder than Koh Pha Nganin April. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 14°C (57°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In October, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Nganin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Melbourne