A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Koh Tao for Food, Backpackers, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Bandung or Koh Tao?

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

Should I visit Bandung or Koh Tao? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bandung

Bandung is a scenic, laidback, and cultural city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Bandung travel costs.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a beautiful, tropical, and popular island. Koh Tao is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Koh Tao travel costs.

Bandung and Koh Tao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Koh Tao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Tao. Although Bandung and Koh Tao are popular destinations, Koh Tao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Tao is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Bandung attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Bandung is famous for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. Koh Tao is famous for its affordable scuba diving courses, laid-back island vibe, popularity with backpackers, and stunning island hikes. It is also well known for Mango Bay Viewpoint.

How is Bandung different from Koh Tao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bandung or Koh Tao?

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bandung can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with museums and landmarks like the Sri Baduga Museum, which displays prehistoric artifacts. There's also the Asian African Conference Museum, a geology museum, and the Indonesia Postal Museum. The Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum shows items relating to Indonesian wars and weapons while the Virajati Seskoad Museum has information on the Indonesian Army school.

Koh Tao offers a few options for museum-goers. It's a small island that is all about beachfront beauty. Most visitors enjoy the island's outdoor paradise setting, but on those rainy afternoons, there really are very few indoor activities or temples to visit.

Is the Food Better in Bandung or Koh Tao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bandung is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bandung is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is a wonderful foodie destination with tons of street food and local options. The population is predominantly Sundanese, and the cuisine reflects that. The dishes involve a lot of raw vegetables and fresh ingredients. Make sure you try the batagor (fried tofu), soto Bandung (meat soup), and siomay (fish or chicken dumplings).

Dining out in Koh Tao is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a huge ex-pat community on the island, and with them they bring a variety of international cuisines. There are also local establishments that sell the typical Thai dishes with lots of seafood, curries, and noodle dishes. It's fun to enjoy a beachside restaurant that lets you sit right by the water looking off into a tropical paradise.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao Better for Nightlife?

Koh Tao is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Koh Tao has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. While most people head for the island for its scuba diving, when the sun goes down everyone heads to the beach to party. The island has a very active nightlife scene with its own Full Moon Parties, dance clubs, beachside bars, and more. Head to Sairee Beach for the most active nightlife and entertainment options.

Bandung has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a large student population and a number of bars around town. The nightlife has a laidback vibe and many people enjoy hanging out with friends a local pub.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao Better for Resorts?

Koh Tao is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Bandung is not a resort destination.

Koh Tao is known as a popular and fun resort destination. While it's mostly famous as a diving destination, there are also a diversity of resorts, from luxury to affordable, available on the island. The beaches are beautiful and many resorts offer scuba diving packages as well.

Bandung is not a resort destination.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Tao is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bandung is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Koh Tao a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The island is Thailand's most famous scuba diving destination for it's affordable certifications and prolific dive shops. There are a variety of dive sites near the island, but with fame and popularity come challenges. The coral and sealife is feeling the pressure of the high number of tourists, and the reefs show their damage. But the training you receive here is affordable and well-established.

Bandung is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao Better for Beaches?

Koh Tao is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Bandung is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Tao. The white sand beaches have a mellow vibe with beautiful blue waters. This is a true tropical paradise with beachside cafes, easy snorkeling, and warm water. The beaches range from quiet and isolated to high energy and vibrant.

Bandung is not a beach destination.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Bandung and Koh Tao both have very good trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bandung. There are tons of great hiking trails just outside of town. Some are undiscovered while others are more popular. The trails will take you through forests, by volcanoes, and to dramatic craters.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Tao. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the inland beauty of the island. There are paths that take you through the jungle covered land to viewpoints and remote areas. Many paths are rustic and not always well maintained so it's helpful to ask a local for directions beforehand.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Koh Tao?

Bandung is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Bandung draws large crowds to its stores. This is the ultimate shopping destination in Indonesia. Visitors come from throughout the country and abroad to buy designer goods and name brands, often at a discount price. You'll find both knock-offs and authentic merchandise, so be aware when you're purchasing something, which you might be buying.

Many visitors go to Koh Tao to go shopping. The main beach areas of Mae Haad, Sairee, and Chalok Baan Kao have the highest concentration of clothing and dive equipment shops. Because it's an island with limited access, prices can be a bit high.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao More Beautiful?

Koh Tao is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Koh Tao is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is famous for its cheap diving scene and underwater beauty, but there are also stunning beaches with crystal blue waters as well as quiet bays.

Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bandung or Koh Tao.

Bandung is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy taking in a cultural show with traditional dance and music. Near the city you can also get outside and enjoy the stunning scenery at White Crater or Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There's also the Bandung Geological Museum and Trans Studio amusement park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Koh Tao. The island is popular for its affordable scuba diving certifications, so there are a number of options for families with older kids who'd like to get certified. It's also a more laid back and smaller island than some nearby places, so it's possible to find quiet beaches where your family can relax. Some of the quieter beaches include Sai Nuan and Ao Luek. You'll still find a large number of backpackers on the island, but there's a more chill atmosphere with most visitors focused on scuba diving and exploring.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bandung and Koh Tao make for a very good place to visit.

Bandung makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most honeymooners make their way to a beautiful Indonesian beach, if you're looking for a break from the heat then this city makes a good stopover. The city is near many beautiful outdoor settings such as the White Crater. There are also many nice luxury resorts and hotels.

Couples visit Koh Tao frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This laid back island offers a relaxing honeymoon destination for couples who want to learn to scuba dive and enjoy a bit of tropical paradise. There are beachside restaurants, beautiful blue waters, white sand, and everything you need for your own piece of paradise.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Tao is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Koh Tao. The island is an oasis for backpackers who want to enjoy the mellow island life, learn to scuba dive cheaply, and have fun at a beachside party. There are plenty of affordable places to stay and countless opportunities to meet other backpackers. The island is also well connected to other nearby islands.

Bandung is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao Better for Students?

Bandung is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Tao is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Bandung. Many of the expats in town are students, so you'll have a number of people to hang out with. This is also an affordable town for study abroad.

Koh Tao is not popular with students.

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

Bandung is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Bandung offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Tao. You can rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore the island. There are also taxis and taxi boats available.

Is Bandung or Koh Tao a more walkable city?

Bandung and Koh Tao are very good when it comes to walkability.

Bandung is very walkable. There are a number of walkable neighborhoods around town.

Koh Tao is a very walkable city. The island is smaller than many islands in Thailand, and the small towns are usually no more than 5 kilometers apart. It's also possible to walk around most of the small towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Bandung Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Tao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Tao or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Koh Tao?

Both Bandung and Koh Tao have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Tao than in Bandung. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bandung, and 2-7 days is enough time in Koh Tao.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Tao than Bandung 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 Koh Tao.

One day in Bandung or Koh Tao?

In Bandung, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Koh Tao, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Bandung or Koh Tao?

In Bandung, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bandung has to offer.

In Koh Tao, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Tao has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Koh Tao?

Bandung is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Koh Tao is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Tao has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bandung or Koh Tao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bandung. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bandung. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Tao. In Koh Tao, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Bandung and Koh Tao, we can see that Koh Tao is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bandung or Koh Tao?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 1230 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Koh Tao, 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.