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

Should you visit Kobe 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 Kobe 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.

Kobe

Kobe is a under-rated, multicultural, and quaint city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Kobe travel costs.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a tropical, dramatic, and stunning island. Many visitors also come to Koh Phi Phi because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Koh Phi Phi travel costs.

Kobe and Koh Phi Phi: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koh Phi Phi. Although Kobe and Koh Phi Phi are both popular with visitors, Koh Phi Phi has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koh Phi Phi is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kobe is known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities. Koh Phi Phi is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its stunningly beautiful beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and wild booze cruises. It is also home to Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts.

How is Kobe 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 Kobe. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Kobe is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Kobe offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

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 Kobe or Koh Phi Phi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kobe 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.

Kobe has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

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 Kobe or Koh Phi Phi Better for Nightlife?

Koh Phi Phi is great for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Koh Phi Phi for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kobe. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Kobe or Koh Phi Phi Better for Resorts?

Koh Phi Phi is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe 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.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Phi Phi is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Kobe 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.

Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kobe or Koh Phi Phi Better for Beaches?

Koh Phi Phi is an amazing island to visit for the beach. However, Kobe 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.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is Kobe or Koh Phi Phi Better for Hiking?

Koh Phi Phi is great for hiking. However, Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Phi Phi for the hiking trails. 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.

Kobe is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Koh Phi Phi?

Kobe is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Kobe is well-known for its shopping. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

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 Kobe or Koh Phi Phi More Beautiful?

Koh Phi Phi is an amazing island to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Koh Phi Phi because of it's amazing beauty. 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.

Kobe is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kobe or Koh Phi Phi Better for Families?

Kobe is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Koh Phi Phi is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Kobe offers lots of family activities. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

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 Kobe or Koh Phi Phi Better for Couples?

Koh Phi Phi is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

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

Koh Phi Phi is an amazing island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Koh Phi Phi, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. 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 Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

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

Kobe and Koh Phi Phi both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Kobe offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

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

Is Kobe or Koh Phi Phi a more walkable city?

Kobe and Koh Phi Phi are good when it comes to walkability.

Kobe is a somewhat walkable city. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

Koh Phi Phi is somewhat walkable. 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 Kobe Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Phi Phi Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Kobe or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kobe and Koh Phi Phi. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than in Kobe. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kobe, and 2-3 days is enough time in Koh Phi Phi.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Phi Phi than Kobe. 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 Koh Phi Phi than Kobe 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 Phi Phi.

One day in Kobe or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Kobe. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of Koh Phi Phi. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kobe or Koh Phi Phi?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Kobe. 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kobe or Koh Phi Phi?

The subdued city of Kobe offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the stunning destination of Koh Phi Phi. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kobe or Koh Phi Phi?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kobe. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The beautiful island of Koh Phi Phi offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, 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 Kobe and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Kobe 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe 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 Kobe Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Koh Phi Phi?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 1530 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Kobe 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 Kobe or Koh Phi Phi?

Kobe 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 Kobe or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Kobe is generally around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Phi Phi. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. It's quite rainy in Kobe. In July, Kobe usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Koh Phi Phi and Kobe during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

Kobe is cooler than Koh Phi Phi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun.

Koh Phi Phi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets less rain in October than Koh Phi Phi. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi. May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Koh Phi Phi. Many visitors come to Kobe in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Kobe is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kobe usually receives more rain than Koh Phi Phi. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Koh Phi Phi is the dry season.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Koh Phi Phi. Most visitors come to Kobe for the activities around the city during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

In April, Kobe is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In the spring, Kobe often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Kobe receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Koh Phi Phi. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year. May to November in Koh Phi Phi is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Kobe