Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Nha Trang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Nha Trang and Koh Phi Phi. 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.
Nha Trang is a resort-filled, vibrant, and high energy city. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.
Koh Phi Phi is a stunning, beautiful, and rustic island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Phi Phi than Nha Trang, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Phi Phi is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Nha Trang is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Nha Trang is well known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Koh Phi Phi is well known 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.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Phi Phi and Nha Trang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Nha Trang is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.
Nha Trang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.
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.
Both Nha Trang and Koh Phi Phi offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.
Nha Trang has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.
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.
Nha Trang is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.
Nha Trang is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.
Koh Phi Phi has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.
Koh Phi Phi is very popular for its luxury resorts. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its resorts.
Vacationers flock to Koh Phi Phi for its luxury resorts. 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.
Nha Trang has a few great resort options. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.
Koh Phi Phi is very popular for its diving and snorkeling. However, Nha Trang is not known for snorkeling and scuba diving.
People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi. 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.
Snorkeling is an option in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.
Koh Phi Phi is very popular for the beache. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.
Koh Phi Phi offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.
Nha Trang is a good option for a beach vacation. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.
Koh Phi Phi is a great island for hiking. However, Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors go to Koh Phi Phi for the hiking trails. 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.
Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.
Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.
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.
Nha Trang is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nha Trang is very family-friendly. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.
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.
Koh Phi Phi is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.
Koh Phi Phi is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.
Nha Trang is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.
Koh Phi Phi is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.
With so many budget-friendly offerings, Koh Phi Phi is extremely popular 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.
Nha Trang is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.
Nha Trang and Koh Phi Phi both offer notable public transit to get you around.
While Nha Trang offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.
Koh Phi Phi has a few public transit options. There are water taxis and private boats that you can hire.
Nha Trang 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.
Nha Trang is a very walkable city. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.
Koh Phi Phi is a somewhat walkable city. 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 Nha Trang Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nha Trang and Koh Phi Phi. In our opinion, Koh Phi Phi has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Koh Phi Phi than Nha Trang. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Nha Trang than Koh Phi Phi. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nha Trang, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than Nha Trang. 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 Nha Trang 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.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the resort-filled city of Nha Trang. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Nha Trang. 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 beautiful 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.
The vibrant city of Nha Trang offers shopping and museums. 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 beautiful 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.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nha Trang. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nha Trang is $40, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $72. 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 Nha Trang and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Nha Trang or Koh Phi Phi? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nha Trang:
Also for Nha Trang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi and Nha Trang 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Nha Trang:
For Nha Trang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
For Nha Trang, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nha Trang.
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nha Trang and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi than you might in Nha Trang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nha Trang Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Nha Trang has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang 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.
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Both Koh Phi Phi and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August. The rainy season in Nha Trang is September to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi in the summer. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Both Koh Phi Phi and Nha Trang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.
September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi. May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nha Trang. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in October than Koh Phi Phi. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nha Trang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Koh Phi Phi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. December to March in Koh Phi Phi is the dry season. In January, Nha Trang usually receives more rain than Koh Phi Phi. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Nha Trang is generally cooler than Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The spring brings many poeple to Nha Trang as well as Koh Phi Phi. Nha Trang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.
May to November in Koh Phi Phi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Koh Phi Phi. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Nha Trang is cooler than Koh Phi Phi in the spring. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Nha Trang | Koh Phi Phi | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |