Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao?
Nadi (Port Denarau)
Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
-
Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
Fiji PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNadi (Port Denarau) $204Koh Tao $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $204, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $48. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nadi (Port Denarau) and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNadi (Port Denarau) $109Koh Tao $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNadi (Port Denarau) $218Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau) and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices and Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nadi (Port Denarau) $9.05Koh Tao $9.62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):
- Zip line ex Intercontinental Fiji with return private transfers: $215
- Zip line Fiji ex Fiji Marriot w/private return transfer: $188
- Outrigger Resort to Nadi Airport - Private vehicle transfer 1 - 3 Pax: $157
- CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Volivoli or Wananavu Rst: $140
- Private Transfer: Nadi Airport to Pacific Harbour - 1 to 4 Seat Vehicle: $133
- Treetops Fiji Zipline Tour with Drop off Transfer to Nadi Airport: $132
- Private vehicle transfer Fiji Marriot Momi Bay to Nadi Airport: $120
- 100% CFC APPROVED PRIVATE Transfer - Denarau to Nadi & Coral Coast Hotels: $116
- Fiji Cultural Full Day Island Cruise With Lunch & Transfers: $115
- Private Transfer from Nadi Airport (NAN) to Lautoka Cruise Port: $99
- Crusoe's Retreat Fiji Transfers and Taxi Service: $99
- Outrigger Resort Fiji Taxi and Transfer Services: $93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
-
Motorbike Rental$5.75
-
Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Tao
Also for Koh Tao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Convenient Catamaran and Bus Transfer from Koh Tao to Krabi: $56
- Koh Tao to Krabi High Speed Catamaran with Bus Transfer: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Nadi (Port Denarau) change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayNadi (Port Denarau) $71Koh Tao $18
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
-
Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.05
-
Breakfast$4.54
-
Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.63
-
Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
-
Pancake$2.12
-
American Breakfast (for Two)$8.47
-
Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao: $63
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao: $67
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $256
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $273
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nadi (Port Denarau) $33Koh Tao $29
Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:
- "Coral Coast Adventure: Pottery, Kava, Meke, Dunes & Temple'': $122
- "Half Day Nadi Highlights Tour”: $151
- 16 Lines Zipline, Cave and Mud Spa Combo Tour with Lunch in Fiji: $169
- 6 Hours Giant Zipline Adventure Park in Fiji: $94
- Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka): $104
- Colo-i-Suva Waterfall Tour (Suva): $94
- Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $102
- Coral Coast Tour Sand Dune to Momi Gunsite History Walk: $202
- Cultural Day Tour: $68
- Cultural Night Tour: $82
- Day Tour Exploration of Fiji Culture and Nature: $230
- Discover Coral Coast & Natadola Beach Tour: $118
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.57
-
Snorkel Rental$3.03
-
Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.03
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $28
- Snorkelling Trip 5 Island Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nang yuan: $29
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $30
- Ko Tao: Ko Nangyuan & Hidden Bays Snorkeling Tour with Lunch: $30
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat: $30
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $31
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $35
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $36
- Koh Tao 5 Best Snorkeling Sunset Tour by Big Boat: $40
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan: $42
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $46
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNadi (Port Denarau) $12Koh Tao $7.92
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
-
Beer$1.97
-
Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nadi (Port Denarau) and Koh Tao, we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific and Koh Tao 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 Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) than you might in Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao?
Nadi (Port Denarau) has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Nadi (Port Denarau) and Koh Tao, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.