A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Petra vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Petra or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Koh Pha Ngan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Koh Pha Ngan?

Petra

Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Petra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $45. 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 Petra and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Koh Pha Ngan $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Koh Pha Ngan $46
Compare Hotels in Petra and Koh Pha Ngan

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Koh Pha Ngan? 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.

Hotels in Petra


Hotels in Koh Pha Ngan


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: Petra Hotel Prices and Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Koh Pha Ngan $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
  • Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
  • Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
  • Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
  • Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
  • Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
  • Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
  • Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $8.18
  • Ferry Ride
    $14
  • Gas for Scooter
    $3.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Koh Pha Ngan?

Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan and Petra 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 day
    Petra $38
    Koh Pha Ngan $10
Typical Food Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.

  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300

Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:


  • Noodle Lunch (for One)
    $1.09
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $11
  • Smoothies (for Two)
    $1.09
  • Ice Cream
    $0.55
  • Juice
    $1.64
  • 3 Spring Rolls
    $0.82
  • 2 Pancakes
    $1.64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Koh Pha Ngan $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:


  • Entry to Petra for One
    $71

Tours and Activities in Petra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:

  • 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
  • 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
  • Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
  • Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
  • Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Koh Pha Ngan $9.89

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)
    $7.09


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Petra or Koh Pha Ngan?

Petra has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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 Petra or Koh Pha Ngan?

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.

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Petra 33°C (91°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Petra as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. October and November in Koh Pha Ngan is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Petra usually gets less rain in October than Koh Pha Ngan. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Petra is generally a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Petra 27°C (80°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)

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

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March. In January, Petra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Pha Ngan. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Petra is cooler than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Petra 15°C (59°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)

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

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Petra during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

Petra usually gets less rain in April than Koh Pha Ngan. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Petra is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Petra 25°C (76°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Petra

Petra Koh Pha Ngan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 15°C (59°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 30°C (87°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Dec 16°C (62°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)