A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Koyasan for Couples, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Similan Islands or Koyasan?

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 Koyasan 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. The famous beauty of Similan Islands is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and food. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a traditional, peaceful, and serene town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Koyasan is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food. See Koyasan travel costs.

Similan Islands and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Koyasan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koyasan than Similan Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koyasan is better known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and small town charm, while Similan Islands is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Koyasan is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Also, Koyasan is famous for Kongobu-ji Head Temple. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koyasan 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 Koyasan?

Koyasan 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 Koyasan. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Similan Islands and Koyasan 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 Koyasan area. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Similan Islands or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Neither Similan Islands or Koyasan offer decent nightlife.

Similan Islands doesn't offer many options. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Koyasan. This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

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

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Koyasan 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.

Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Koyasan Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Koyasan 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.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Similan Islands or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Similan Islands does not have a historic old town.

Koyasan is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Similan Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Similan Islands or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Both Similan Islands and Koyasan are destinations which offer notable hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Similan Islands. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Koyasan offers some nice hiking trails. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Is Similan Islands or Koyasan More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Similan Islands is one of the main draws. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

Koyasan offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The town is quaint and filled with history and spirituality.

Is Similan Islands or Koyasan Better for Families?

Both Similan Islands and Koyasan 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 Koyasan. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Similan Islands or Koyasan Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Koyasan is a great island chain if you're traveling as a couple. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

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

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

Koyasan is a good town to visit for backpackers. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

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 Koyasan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Koyasan 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.

Koyasan has some public transit options. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

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 Koyasan a more walkable city?

Koyasan is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Koyasan is a very walkable town. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Koyasan?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Similan Islands or Koyasan to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Similan Islands than Koyasan because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 1-2 days is enough time in Koyasan.

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

Couples should spend more time in Similan Islands than Koyasan. 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 Koyasan 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 Koyasan.

One day in Similan Islands or Koyasan?

In Similan Islands, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This island chain offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Koyasan is a small town with plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Koyasan?

In Similan Islands, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Koyasan?

Similan Islands is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Similan Islands has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Koyasan is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Koyasan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Similan Islands. In Similan Islands, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Since Koyasan is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

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

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 Koyasan Expensive?.

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

Koyasan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Koyasan in the Summer?

Both Koyasan and Similan Islands during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun.

Koyasan 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 July than Koyasan. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Koyasan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Koyasan averages at about 19°C (65°F).

Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Koyasan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Koyasan. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Koyasan. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Koyasan in the Spring?

Both Koyasan and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Koyasan in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Similan Islands