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

Should you visit Pyeongchang or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Koh Pha Ngan, 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: Pyeongchang or Koh Pha Ngan?

Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Pyeongchang?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pyeongchang is $114, 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 Pyeongchang and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pyeongchang $62
    Koh Pha Ngan $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pyeongchang $124
    Koh Pha Ngan $46
Compare Hotels in Pyeongchang and Koh Pha Ngan

Looking for a hotel in Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang


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: Pyeongchang Hotel Prices and Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pyeongchang $25
    Koh Pha Ngan $13

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 Pyeongchang or Koh Pha Ngan?

Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan and Pyeongchang 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
    Pyeongchang $27
    Koh Pha Ngan $10

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.
    Pyeongchang $51
    Koh Pha Ngan $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pyeongchang $8.79
    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 Pyeongchang and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Pyeongchang is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Pyeongchang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang or Koh Pha Ngan?

Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Pyeongchang during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

Pyeongchang is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan in the summer. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang usually gets more rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pyeongchang 24°C (76°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Pyeongchang is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pyeongchang in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (75°F).

Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pyeongchang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pyeongchang usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pyeongchang 15°C (60°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Pyeongchang in the winter. In January, Pyeongchang is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 0°C (33°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Pyeongchang usually gets more rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pyeongchang 0°C (33°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)

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

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

Pyeongchang is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the spring. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In April, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pyeongchang 12°C (54°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang Koh Pha Ngan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (33°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 1°C (35°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 77 mm (3 in) 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 217 mm (8.5 in) 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 262 mm (10.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 20°C (68°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 15°C (60°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in)
Nov 9°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)