A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Newcastle vs. Koh Phi Phi for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Should I visit Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi? 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.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a high energy, trendy, and coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Newcastle travel costs.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a beautiful, rustic, and remote island. You'll find world class beauty in Koh Phi Phi as well. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Koh Phi Phi travel costs.

Newcastle and Koh Phi Phi: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koh Phi Phi. Although Newcastle and Koh Phi Phi are both popular with visitors, Koh Phi Phi has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koh Phi Phi is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Newcastle is known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities. Koh Phi Phi is more touristy than Newcastle and is popular for its stunningly beautiful beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and wild booze cruises. It is also home to Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay. Newcastle is popular for its bustling harbor, sandy beaches, and coastal walks.

How is Newcastle 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 Newcastle. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

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

Newcastle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some interesting sights around town such as Nobbys Lighthouse. There's also the popular Ocean Baths. These pools offer a nice break from the surf. You can also check out the sights along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. For a history lesson, head to Fort Scratchley.

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 Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Newcastle 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.

Newcastle has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a moderately sized city, so you'll find a good mix of restaurants. Head to the beachfront if you want fine dining and good seafood. There are also some good breweries and cafes, as well as brunch places and international flavors around town.

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 Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi Better for Nightlife?

Both Newcastle and Koh Phi Phi are high quality when it comes to partying.

Newcastle offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a vibrant city, and the best nightlife can be found in the Honeysuckle Precinct. This is where you'll find the largest number of bars and pubs. Hunter Street is also a cool hangout area where you'll find the hidden gems where the locals hang out. Civic Theatre is the place to see a show.

Koh Phi Phi has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi Better for Resorts?

Koh Phi Phi is terrific for its resorts. However, Newcastle is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Koh Phi Phi is a great choice. 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.

Newcastle is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Phi Phi is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Koh Phi Phi a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi Better for Beaches?

Koh Phi Phi is terrific for the beach. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Phi Phi. 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.

Newcastle is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are a number of beaches in and near the city. Nobbys Beach is the most popular and you'll find families, surfers, and locals hanging out here. Newcastle Beach is also popular with its many restaurants and cafes.

Is Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi Better for Hiking?

Koh Phi Phi is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

Koh Phi Phi is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Newcastle. There are many places to enjoy a stroll or hike near town. The most famous walk is the Bathers Way Walk, which runs along the coastline and offers spectacular views. It's particularly nice during the winter whale watching season.

Is the Shopping Better in Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi?

Newcastle is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Newcastle is well-known for its shopping. It's gained popularity for its trendy fashions and chic style. You'll find great shopping around town that highlight both local and international brands.

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 Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi More Beautiful?

Koh Phi Phi is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Newcastle is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Koh Phi Phi as well. While most people visit this island as a day trip, those who do spend a few days here will enjoy dramatic beauty, stunning landscapes, and excellent beaches. The island feels a bit more rustic and remote than some of the more developed islands, but the north side of the island offers a truly tropical paradise. During the day, crowds can be high as tourists flock to the area from nearby islands.

Newcastle is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi Better for Families?

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

Newcastle offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the long sandy beaches, but there's also a working harbor that you can explore. You can also visit the Newcastle Museum or try one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

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 Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi Better for Couples?

Koh Phi Phi is terrific for couples. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Koh Phi Phi makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Newcastle is a nice destination for couples. The city has some great restaurants as well as many coastal walks and a vibrant nightlife scene that couples enjoy.

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

Koh Phi Phi is terrific for backpackers. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Phi Phi is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. 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.

Newcastle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not Australia's most popular backpacker destination, there are some hostels and a good nightlife scene that are worth checking out.

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

Both Newcastle and Koh Phi Phi offer good public transit options.

Newcastle has a few public transit options. There's both a light rail system and a bus system.

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

Is Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi a more walkable city?

Newcastle and Koh Phi Phi both are good when exploring on foot.

Newcastle is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

Koh Phi Phi is somewhat walkable. 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 Newcastle Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Newcastle and Koh Phi Phi. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Newcastle than in Koh Phi Phi. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Newcastle, and 2-3 days is enough time in Koh Phi Phi.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than Newcastle. 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Newcastle. 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the island of Koh Phi Phi. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the high energy destination of Newcastle. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city 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.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the stunning destination of Koh Phi Phi. 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.

Five days in Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi?

The coastal city of Newcastle offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the remote island of Koh Phi Phi. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Newcastle. 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.

Koh Phi Phi is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi?

Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 500 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Newcastle 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 Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi?

Newcastle 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 Newcastle or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Newcastle as well as Koh Phi Phi. The summer months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

In January, Newcastle is generally cooler than Koh Phi Phiin July. Daily temperatures in Newcastle average around 22°C (72°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. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In the summer, Newcastle often gets more sunshine than Koh Phi Phiin July. Newcastle gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Newcastle receives a lot of rain in the summer. Newcastle usually gets less rain in January than Koh Phi Phiin July. Newcastle gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Koh Phi Phi and Newcastle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Newcastle is cooler than Koh Phi Phi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Newcastle averages around 19°C (67°F) in April, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.

Newcastle usually receives more sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during autumn. Newcastle gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. It's quite rainy in Newcastle. In April, Newcastle usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phiin October. Newcastle gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Phi Phi is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November.

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

Both Koh Phi Phi and Newcastle during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Newcastle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

In the winter, Newcastle is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Newcastle in July average around 13°C (55°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 28°C (82°F)in January.

In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Newcastle. In the winter, Newcastle often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phiin January. Newcastle gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun.

Newcastle usually gets more rain in July than Koh Phi Phiin January. Newcastle gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle and Koh Phi Phi. Many visitors come to Newcastle in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Newcastle is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phiin April. Daily temperatures in Newcastle average around 18°C (64°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. Newcastle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi during spring. Newcastle gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Newcastle usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phiin April. Newcastle gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Newcastle