A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Koh Phi Phi for Couples, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Zurich 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 Zurich 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.

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of Zurich is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Zurich travel costs.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a remote, tropical, and dramatic island. You'll find world class beauty in Koh Phi Phi as well. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Koh Phi Phi travel costs.

Zurich and Koh Phi Phi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Phi Phi than Zurich, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Phi Phi is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Zurich is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, music, historical sights, and shopping. Koh Phi Phi is more touristy than Zurich and is popular for its stunningly beautiful beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and wild booze cruises. Also, Koh Phi Phi is famous for Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay. Zurich is well known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.

How is Zurich different from Koh Phi Phi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Zurich is great for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Koh Phi Phi offers a few options for museum-goers. It's an island paradise with world class beaches and stunning natural beauty, but if you're looking for museums, temples, and culture, then you'll likely want to head farther north to Northern Thailand.

Is the Food Better in Zurich or Koh Phi Phi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zurich is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Zurich has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Koh Phi Phi area. Most dishes feature seafood, and you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants around Tonsai Village. There are also restaurants dotting the way to Long Beach. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating, or a combination of an indoor/outdoor setting. Tropical fruit is also abundant on the island and adds to that tropical paradise atmosphere.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Nightlife?

Both Zurich and Koh Phi Phi are superb when it comes to partying.

Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Koh Phi Phi has a large number of nightlife venues. Despite its smaller size, there is still a party vibe and tons of nightlife on the island. Backpackers have long flocked to this island, building on the reputation it earned from movies like "The Beach." Booze cruises and all night beach parties are the norm here, so it won't be hard to find a party that lasts until sunrise.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Music?

Zurich is great for its live music scene. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich draws a good crowd. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Koh Phi Phi is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Resorts?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Zurich is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Koh Phi Phi for its luxury resorts. Despite it's popularity with backpackers and small size, this island also has some of Thailand's most luxurious resorts. Head to Long Beach or Laem Tong to appreciate the quieter side of the island.

Zurich is not a resort destination.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi. The dramatic limestone cliffs and colorful coral make this a top scuba diving and snorkeling destination in Thailand. There are countless vendors who offer scuba diving or snorkeling trips from the island. You might even see sharks, sea turtles, or seahorses during your trip. Head to the reef at dusk for the best chance of seeing black tip reef sharks.

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Beaches?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Koh Phi Phi offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. This island has some of the most dramatic beauty in Thailand and the beaches will not disappoint. Although it's usually referred to as an island, Koh Phi Phi is actually a small archipelago with Koh Phi Phi Don being the only inhabited island. Nearby Koh Phi Phi Leh is famous as the filming place of the movie "The Beach" (which you'll hear playing at hotels around the island every night). The beaches are beautiful with white sand and clear water. It truly is a tropical paradise.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is renowned for its old town. However, Koh Phi Phi does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Zurich is one of the most recognized in the world. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Koh Phi Phi does not have a historic old town.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Hiking?

Koh Phi Phi is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Koh Phi Phi is a popular spot for hiking. With its dramatic cliffs, this area has beautiful, but challenging hikes that take you to stunning viewpoints. The dramatic photos that you see of the islands often require a hike, but the reward at the end is well worth it.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Zurich is renowned for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Zurich draws large crowds to its stores. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Koh Phi Phi has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. Shopping is limited on the island but you'll find a few souvenir shops with trinkets that you can purchase. Because it's an island, you can expect prices to be high.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi More Beautiful?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Koh Phi Phi as well. While most people visit this island as a day trip, those who do spend a few days here will enjoy dramatic beauty, stunning landscapes, and excellent beaches. The island feels a bit more rustic and remote than some of the more developed islands, but the north side of the island offers a truly tropical paradise. During the day, crowds can be high as tourists flock to the area from nearby islands.

With stunning beauty, Zurich attracts visitors from all around. With Lake Zurich and the mountains as a backdrop, this is a truly beautiful city.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Families?

Zurich is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Zurich is very family-friendly. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

Koh Phi Phi is not the most family-friendly destination. This island is on the smaller side and it has a remote tropical island atmosphere. The best side of the island for families is the north end where you'll find the quietest and most beautiful beaches. It's best to avoid the area around Tonsai which has the highest concentration of backpackers and day trippers.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Couples?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Koh Phi Phi is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Stunning beaches, dramatic landscapes, excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and a remote tropical atmosphere make this is a great place for couples and honeymooners. Head to the quieter north side of the island where you'll find the better resorts and less backpackers, as well as the best beaches.

Zurich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Phi Phi is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Koh Phi Phi. Most people visit this island as a day trip, but for those who linger, they'll be rewarded with dramatic landscapes and beautiful beaches. Most backpackers hang out around Tonsai where things are the cheapest, but the quality can also be very poor.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Students?

Zurich is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Koh Phi Phi is not popular with students.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zurich is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its public transit.

Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

Koh Phi Phi has a few public transit options. There are water taxis and private boats that you can hire.

Is Zurich or Koh Phi Phi a more walkable city?

Zurich is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Koh Phi Phi is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its ease of walking around.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

Koh Phi Phi is a somewhat walkable city. You can't walk all of the way around the island because of the cliffs, but you can walk from Tonsai to Long Beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Zurich Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Phi Phi or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Zurich and Koh Phi Phi. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich than in Koh Phi Phi. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 2-3 days is enough time in Koh Phi Phi.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than Zurich. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Phi Phi that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zurich than Koh Phi Phi 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 Zurich.

One day in Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the liberal city of Zurich. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the shopping. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Koh Phi Phi. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the liberal destination of Zurich. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Koh Phi Phi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the historic city of Zurich. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Phi Phi. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Zurich. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the shopping. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the remote destination of Koh Phi Phi. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Koh Phi Phi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Koh Phi Phi is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 340 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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.

When is the best time to visit Zurich or Koh Phi Phi?

Zurich has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Phi Phi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Koh Phi Phi. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

Zurich is cooler than Koh Phi Phi in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Zurich usually gets less rain in July than Koh Phi Phi. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Zurich is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Phi Phi is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November.

Should I visit Zurich or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Koh Phi Phi. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi.

Should I visit Zurich or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Koh Phi Phi. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Zurich is much colder than Koh Phi Phi in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Zurich usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Zurich