A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Taipei vs. Koh Phi Phi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Taipei or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Taipei and Koh Phi Phi. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Taipei or Koh Phi Phi?

Taipei

Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.

Koh Phi Phi

The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Taipei?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Taipei is $182, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $72. 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 Taipei and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Taipei $145
    Koh Phi Phi $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Taipei $290
    Koh Phi Phi $80
Compare Hotels in Taipei and Koh Phi Phi

Looking for a hotel in Taipei or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Taipei


Hotels in Koh Phi Phi


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: Taipei Hotel Prices and Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Taipei $10
    Koh Phi Phi $6.89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:


  • Easycard
    $2.01
  • Easycard
    $9.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei

Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bruns 9 seater, charter tour, business transfer, airport transfer, round-the-island charter tour: $299
  • Flowserve Nine-seat-Taiwan travel charter, charter tour, business transfer, round-the-island tour, airport shuttle charter service: $256
  • Modern nine-seater, Taiwan chartered tour, chartered day trip, round-the-island chartered car, airport transfer, hotel pick-up service: $254
  • Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Jiaoxi - Arrival Private Transfer: $238
  • Luxury Chartered Private Transfer Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City: $140
  • Private Transfer from Taoyuan Intl Airport to Taoyuan or Taipei city: $126
  • Private Transfer from Taipei Taoyuan Airport(TPE) to Hualien Port: $103
  • Taipei Private Transfer: Keelung Cruise Port to Hotel: $85
  • Taipei Private Transfer: Hotel to Keelung Cruise Port: $85
  • Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE to Beitou New Taipei Arrival Transfer: $76
  • Taiwan Taipei Taoyuan International Airport(TPE) Private Transfer: $75
  • [Chinese driver charter wagon] 1 to 7 people ☆ Taoyuan Airport ⇔ Taipei City Airport Transfer [one way]: $66

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:


  • Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)
    $15
  • Longboat Taxi
    $2.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi

Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Superfast Transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi by Arisa Speed Boat: $28
  • Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $25
  • One-Way Departure Transfer from Phi Phi Island (Speedboat) to Phuket Airport : $52
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Taipei or Koh Phi Phi?

Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi and Taipei 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
    Taipei $16
    Koh Phi Phi $11
Typical Food Prices in Taipei

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


  • EasyCard
    $15
  • Lunch at The Can
    $6.81
  • EasyCard
    $31
  • Lunch
    $2.94
  • Lunch
    $1.86
  • Dinner
    $6.19
  • Lunch
    $3.56
  • Lunch
    $4.64
  • Louisa coffee
    $2.94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei

For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Historic Night Market Food Tour with Tastings: $45
  • Ximending Vegan Food Tour Snack, Dessert & Main!: $46
  • Taipei Food Tour: Yongkang Street for Foodies: $58
  • Yansan Night Market Food Tour: $62
  • Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
  • Taipei Food Tour and Colorful Bubble Tea Making: $65
  • Taipei Food Tour and Colorful Bubble Tea Making: $70
  • Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $74
  • Backstreet Food Tour: Food, Culture, and Fun: $75
  • Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
  • Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
  • Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77

Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:


  • Crepe
    $1.64
  • Sit Down Lunch
    $9.27
  • Casual Lunch
    $5.73
  • Coconut Donut
    $0.27
  • Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)
    $11
  • Sit Down Dinner
    $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Taipei $17
    Koh Phi Phi $45

Tours and Activities in Taipei

For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • One-Day Historical and Heritage Tour in Taipei : $47
  • 1 Day Tour Northern Taiwan Coast Tour: $200
  • 1-day Tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei by High Speed Rail : $250
  • 2 Days Sun Moon Lake & Lukang Historic Area Tour: $232
  • 2-Day Private Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Mount Hehuan: $195
  • 2-Hour Private Longshan Temple Walking Tour: $35
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Beitou, Taiwan: $55
  • 2-Hour Private Ximending Area Walking Tour: $35
  • 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - S.Y.S. Memorial Hall & 44 South Village: $58
  • 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple: $55
  • 3-Day Private Tour of Taroko Gorge & East Coast Scenic Area: $290
  • 3.5 hours Taipei City Tour (morning or afternoon ) : $44

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi

For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Kayak Rental
    $8.18

Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.

  • 6 Hours Private Tour Around Phi Phi Islands From Phi Phi: $160
  • Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57
  • Early Bird Phi Phi and 4 Islands Tour by Speedboat from Krabi: $97
  • Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $13
  • Half Day & Sunset Phi Phi Island Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57
  • Half Day Tour Around Phi Phi Islands By Private Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $107
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
  • Maya Bay Sunset and Plankton Swimming Tour: $69
  • PHI PHI ISLAND - Sunrise Trip From Phi Phi Don By Phi Phi Local Tour: $53
  • Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $27
  • Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $18
  • Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Taipei $18
    Koh Phi Phi $5.66

Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:

  • Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $28
  • Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $30
  • Private Tour Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery from Taipei : $207

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:


  • Mojito Bucket
    $14
  • Banana Daiquiri
    $5.46


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

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


Which is Bigger, Taipei or Koh Phi Phi?

Taipei has a larger population, and is about 7870 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Taipei and Koh Phi Phi, 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.