A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Similan Islands vs. Chumphon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Similan Islands or Chumphon?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Chumphon can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Similan Islands or Chumphon?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

Chumphon

Sometimes tourism has a tendency to spoil the natural beauty of a place. This is not the case in the magical city of Chumphon, Thailand. As the gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago, this city has maintained natural, untouched beauty. Its miles of coastline are full of fine beaches with fishing, swimming and a number of other activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok.


Which place is cheaper, Chumphon or Similan Islands?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Similan Islands is $166, while the average daily cost in Chumphon is $36. 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 Similan Islands and Chumphon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Similan Islands $69
    Chumphon $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Similan Islands $138
    Chumphon $32
Compare Hotels in Similan Islands and Chumphon

Looking for a hotel in Similan Islands or Chumphon? 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 Similan Islands


Hotels in Chumphon


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: Chumphon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Similan Islands $99
    Chumphon $6.39

Is it cheaper to fly into Similan Islands or Chumphon?

Prices for flights to both Chumphon and Similan Islands 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
    Similan Islands $36
    Chumphon $13

Typical Food Prices in Chumphon

For Chumphon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Ice Cream
    $0.17
  • Fruit at the Market
    $0.55
  • Breakfast
    $1.10

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Similan Islands $44
    Chumphon $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Similan Islands $9.45
    Chumphon $11

Typical Alcohol Prices in Chumphon

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chumphon are as follows:


  • Beer (2)
    $3.86


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

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



When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Chumphon?

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 Similan Islands or Chumphon in the Summer?

Both Chumphon and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Chumphon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chumphon. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Chumphon. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Chumphon receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chumphon during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Chumphon receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Chumphon. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 28°C (82°F), and Chumphon fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Similan Islands 28°C (82°F) 
    Chumphon 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Similan Islands or Chumphon in the Autumn?

Both Chumphon and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chumphon year-round.

October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. Chumphon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Chumphon. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Chumphon receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Chumphon. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chumphon receives 167 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Chumphon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Chumphon fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Similan Islands 27°C (81°F) 
    Chumphon 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Similan Islands or Chumphon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Chumphon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Chumphon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Chumphon. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Chumphon receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chumphon this time of the year. In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Chumphon during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Chumphon receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Chumphon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Similan Islands in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Chumphon averages at about 25°C (77°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Similan Islands 27°C (80°F) 
    Chumphon 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Similan Islands or Chumphon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Chumphon. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chumphon throughout the year.

Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Chumphon. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Chumphon receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chumphon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chumphon. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chumphon receives 239 hours of full sun.

In April, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Chumphon. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 29°C (83°F), and Chumphon fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Similan Islands 29°C (83°F) 
    Chumphon 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Chumphon and Similan Islands

Similan Islands Chumphon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 29°C (83°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 345 mm (13.6 in) 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 286 mm (11.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 284 mm (11.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 272 mm (10.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 417 mm (16.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 351 mm (13.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)


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