Is Koh Tao expensive to visit?
While Koh Tao is a popular destination, it is also very affordable and not expensive to visit. The average daily cost is just $37. This is actually one of the main reasons why it's so popular with tourists. When compared to other cities in Asia, many travelers find it to be a reasonably affordable destination. It's in the top 25% of destinations in Asia for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Sapa and Nha Trang.
The beach at Koh Tao
How expensive is Koh Tao?
For a trip to Koh Tao, travelers spend on average $37 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Koh Tao here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Koh Tao?
On average, a weekend trip to Koh Tao costs about $112 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $223.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Koh Tao?
A one week trip to Koh Tao costs about $260 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $520.
Is it expensive to backpack in Koh Tao?
Koh Tao is a popular backpacker destination with more than 40 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $11 per night. (See hostel prices in Koh Tao here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $20 and the cheapest around $7 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Koh Tao.
- $11 for a dorm bed at Taco Shack Diving Hostel & Restaurant
- $10 for a dorm bed at Good Dream Hotel
- $7 for a dorm bed at Islander Hostel & Dive School
Are hotels expensive in Koh Tao?
If you're considering hotel prices in Koh Tao, you'll find them to be fairly even and moderate in price compared to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $50. In Koh Tao, there are about 2 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $136. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $66 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $20 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Koh Tao
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 2 | $136 |
| 4 stars | 15 | $145 |
| 3 stars | 56 | $66 |
| 2 stars | 52 | $20 |
| 1 star | 1 | $22 |
| No rating | 2 | $131 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Koh Tao?
In Koh Tao, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $27 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $18.
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $278
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $125
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
Is food expensive in Koh Tao?
In Koh Tao, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $9 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $17.
Is transportation expensive in Koh Tao?
The prices of local transportation in Koh Tao can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $9 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $12. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Koh Tao
If you're planning a trip to Koh Tao, Thailand, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.