Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Johor Bahru?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Johor Bahru or Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Johor Bahru or Koh Pha Ngan? 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.
Where Should I go: Johor Bahru or Koh Pha Ngan?
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
-
Johor Bahru Prices
Malaysia PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohor Bahru $64Koh Pha Ngan $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Johor Bahru is $64, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $61. 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 Johor Bahru and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohor Bahru $40Koh Pha Ngan $27
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohor Bahru $80Koh Pha Ngan $54
Compare Hotels in Johor Bahru and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Johor Bahru or Koh Pha Ngan? 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.
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: Johor Bahru Hotel Prices and Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johor Bahru $13Koh Pha Ngan $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $104
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands Transfer [Car]: $249
- Johor Bahru City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $105
- Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands Hotels (Door to Door) Private Transfer: $180
- Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $103
- Johor Bharu to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $237
- LEGOLAND Malaysia Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $182
- LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $105
- LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
- Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $103
- Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $125
- Private Transfer : Johor Bharu (JB) to Kuala Lumpur (KL): $131
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$9.42
-
Ferry Ride$16
-
Gas for Scooter$3.45
Is it cheaper to fly into Johor Bahru or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan and Johor Bahru 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 dayJohor Bahru $16Koh Pha Ngan $20
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
-
Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.26
-
Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
-
Smoothies (for Two)$1.26
-
Ice Cream$0.63
-
Juice$1.88
-
3 Spring Rolls$0.94
-
2 Pancakes$1.88
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johor Bahru $7.81Koh Pha Ngan $19
Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:
- Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.32
- Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $11
- Singapore: Wings of Time Show Entry Ticket: $17
- Malaysia: Johor Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Entry Ticket: $18
- Singapore Sentosa: Trick Eye 3D Museum Entrance Ticket: $21
- Johor: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Entry Ticket: $21
- Experience Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $21
- Singapore Sentosa Cable Car Sky Pass E-Tickets: $21
- Magical Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $22
- Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Admission Ticket: $22
- Legoland Malaysia Ticket: $23
- Legoland Malaysia Theme Park E-Tickets: $23
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohor Bahru $5.09Koh Pha Ngan $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
-
Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$8.16
When comparing the travel costs between Johor Bahru and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johor Bahru or Koh Pha Ngan?
Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Johor Bahru and Koh Pha Ngan, 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.
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.