A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Similan Islands vs. Kanchanaburi for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi?

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 Kanchanaburi 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.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a spectacular, idyllic, and remote island chain. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is a somber, informative, and educational town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Similan Islands and Kanchanaburi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Similan Islands than Kanchanaburi, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Similan Islands is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kanchanaburi is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Kanchanaburi is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its dark history during World War II as well as the many nearby national parks. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting. Also, Similan Islands is famous for the undersea world.

How is Similan Islands different from Kanchanaburi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kanchanaburi and Similan Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi?

Kanchanaburi is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kanchanaburi. The city is most recognized for the Bridge on the River Kwai (Death Railway Bridge), which you can walk across or take a train across. The city also has the Thailand Burma Railway Center and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the Memorial Museum, Chungkai Cemetery, and the JEATH War Museum.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Similan Islands and Kanchanaburi can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Similan Islands has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kanchanaburi area. While food isn't the first thing that comes to mind here, you'll find markets with great street food as well as interesting riverside and floating restaurants. A local specialty that you should try is the gaeng paa pla khang (jungle curry). There are also western style restaurants if you need a break from the curry. Many visitors head to Mae Nam Khwae Road for most of their meals.

Is Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi Better for Nightlife?

Kanchanaburi is a town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kanchanaburi. The backpacker scene keeps the nightlife active. You'll find locals and tourists mingling along Maenam Kwai Road. You'll also find several clubs along Song Kwae Road.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is an amazing island chain to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Kanchanaburi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Similan Islands. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Kanchanaburi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is an amazing island chain to visit for the beache. However, Kanchanaburi is not a beach destination.

Similan Islands offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Kanchanaburi is not a beach destination.

Is Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi Better for Hiking?

Similan Islands is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Kanchanaburi is not a hiking destination.

Similan Islands offers some nice hiking trails. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Kanchanaburi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi?

Kanchanaburi is a town with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kanchanaburi. There are lively night markets, active walking streets, and independent vendors where you can pick up souvenirs or anything that you might need.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi Better for Families?

Both Similan Islands and Kanchanaburi are notable to visit with kids.

Similan Islands is a family-friendly island chain. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kanchanaburi. Although most people think of "The Bridge over the River Kwai" when they think of Kanchanaburi, for families, there are actually a number of outdoor adventures in the area that kids will enjoy. Biking, hiking, and kayaking are all popular. The locals are also very friendly and welcoming to children.

Is Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is an amazing island chain to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Similan Islands is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Kanchanaburi is a good island chain for couples to visit. It's an educational and informative place to visit, but there are also outdoor activities that couples can enjoy together.

Is Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanchanaburi is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Kanchanaburi is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from in the area, and like many places in Thailand, it is an affordable place to visit.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kanchanaburi is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Kanchanaburi has some public transit options. The easiest way to get around town is by tuk tuk or songthaew (pick up truck).

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Is Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi a more walkable city?

Similan Islands and Kanchanaburi are notable when it comes to walkability.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable place. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

Kanchanaburi is a somewhat walkable island chain. There is a Walking Street in the town that has restaurants and nightlife.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Kanchanaburi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kanchanaburi or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Similan Islands and Kanchanaburi. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Similan Islands than in Kanchanaburi. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 2-3 days is enough time in Kanchanaburi.

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

Couples should spend more time in Similan Islands than Kanchanaburi. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Similan Islands that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kanchanaburi than Similan Islands 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 Kanchanaburi.

One day in Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi?

In Similan Islands, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food that this spectacular island chain offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The educational destination of Kanchanaburi offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi?

Similan Islands is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

The town of Kanchanaburi offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi?

In Similan Islands, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food that this remote destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Kanchanaburi is a great place to explore. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi?

Similan Islands is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kanchanaburi. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Kanchanaburi, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.

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 Kanchanaburi Expensive?.

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

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 Kanchanaburi in the Summer?

Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 100 mm (3.9 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 more sunshine than Kanchanaburi during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi in the Autumn?

Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi year-round.

October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Kanchanaburi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Kanchanaburi. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 206 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi in the Winter?

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

In January, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kanchanaburi during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Kanchanaburi in the Spring?

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

Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season. Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Kanchanaburi. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. 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 Kanchanaburi. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 262 hours of full sun.

The heat can be very extreme in Kanchanaburi. Similan Islands is cooler than Kanchanaburi in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 32°C (89°F).

Typical Weather for Kanchanaburi and Similan Islands