A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Chang vs. Christchurch for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Koh Chang or Christchurch?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Christchurch, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a tranquil, scenic, and idyllic island. The famous beauty of Koh Chang is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and nightlife. See Koh Chang travel costs.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a cultural, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. Christchurch is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Christchurch travel costs.

Koh Chang and Christchurch: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Christchurch?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Christchurch. Although Koh Chang and Christchurch are popular destinations, Christchurch has more sights and attractions for tourists. Christchurch is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Koh Chang attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Koh Chang is famous for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches. Christchurch is famous for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. It is also well known for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

How is Koh Chang different from Christchurch?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Chang or Christchurch?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Christchurch can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Koh Chang offers a few options for museum-goers. This is a beach paradise, but you won't find any temples or museums around the island.

Is the Food Better in Koh Chang or Christchurch? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Koh Chang. There's a good selection of restaurants that serve everything from international dishes to Thai favorites. You'll also find restaurants attached to many of the resorts, many with nice views.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch Better for Nightlife?

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

Christchurch has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

Koh Chang has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's Thailand, so there is plenty of partying, but there are quiet parts to the island as well. For the biggest party scenes head to Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach, and Kai Bae Beach. Lonely Beach is where you'll find the highest concentration of backpackers.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is well known for its resorts. However, Christchurch is not a resort destination.

Koh Chang is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The island has managed to maintain a natural atmosphere without the overdevelopment found at many Thai islands, yet it still has the amenities and comforts that you need like nice resorts.

Christchurch is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Chang is a island with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Christchurch is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Chang has a few snorkeling spots. You can book a snorkeling or dive trip to the nearby islands for the best experience. The beaches on Koh Chang are sandy with very few rocks and coral, so walk in snorkeling is limited.

Christchurch is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is terrific for the beach. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Chang. You'll find the vast majority of the beaches on the west side of the island. The most developed beach is White Sand Beach, and most of the backpackers hang out at Lonely Beach. For a quiet and more upscale atmosphere check out Klong Prao Beach. Also make sure you keep an eye on high and low tides, because the difference is pretty extreme. You'll find large, sandy beaches at low tide, which disappear at high tide.

Christchurch is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Christchurch. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Koh Chang. Very few people actually head inland to go hiking, but if you do it can be a rewarding experience. It's a challenge to hike on the island though, as there are no marked trails. You'll need to hire a guide for any trekking that you wish to do.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Chang or Christchurch?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Christchurch. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Chang has some nice offerings. While this isn't the place to do any serious shopping, there are a few places where you can pick up essentials and souvenirs from your trip.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch More Beautiful?

Koh Chang is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Koh Chang is one of the main draws. This jungle-filled island offers stunning beauty without overdevelopment.

Christchurch offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch Better for Families?

Christchurch is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Christchurch is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Koh Chang is a very kid-friendly island. The laid back vibe is perfect for families who want to get away from the party scene and overdevelopment that's found at many Thai islands. The island has kid-friendly beaches, great hiking, and resorts with pools and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Koh Chang makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful island is a perfect destination for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are beautiful resorts that have the charm and character that is lost at many of the more developed parts of Thailand. There are also beaches that cater to every travel style, including upscale and idyllic gems.

Christchurch is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Chang and Christchurch are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Koh Chang is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Most of the backpackers hang out around Lonely Beach, which also has a bit of a party vibe.

Christchurch is a great island to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch Better for Students?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Chang is not popular with students.

Christchurch is a great city to visit as a student. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Koh Chang is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Koh Chang and Christchurch.

Koh Chang has some public transit options. There's a main road that goes around the outside of the island, with the exception of the southern tip. You can rent a motorbike or catch a ride on a Songthaew (pick-up truck taxi). Do note that the roads can be very steep and windy, which can be difficult to drive independently.

You'll find some public transit in Christchurch, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Koh Chang or Christchurch a more walkable city?

Christchurch is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Christchurch is very walkable. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Koh Chang is generally not very walkable. Your ability to walk around really depends on where you stay. Many of the resorts are located in quieter areas without easy access to restaurants or shopping.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Chang Worth Visiting? and Is Christchurch Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Christchurch or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Christchurch?

It's fun to spend time in either Koh Chang or Christchurch. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Koh Chang due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Chang, and 2-4 days is enough time in Christchurch.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch than Koh Chang 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 Christchurch.

One day in Koh Chang or Christchurch?

In Koh Chang, many people enjoy the food and nightlife that this tranquil island offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Christchurch. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Chang or Christchurch?

Koh Chang is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the adventure-filled destination of Christchurch. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Chang or Christchurch?

In Koh Chang, many people enjoy the food and nightlife that this tranquil destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the outdoorsy city of Christchurch. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Chang or Christchurch?

Koh Chang is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Christchurch is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Chang and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch is more expensive. And not only is Koh Chang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Chang is in Asia and Christchurch is in Pacific, 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 Chang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Chang 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch than you might in Koh Chang.

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

When is the best time to visit Koh Chang or Christchurch?

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

Should I visit Koh Chang or Christchurch in the Summer?

Both Christchurch and Koh Chang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Koh Chang is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Chang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Christchurch averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Koh Chang often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin January. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in July than Christchurchin January. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Christchurch in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Christchurch. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Christchurchin April. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 27°C (81°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during autumn. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Christchurchin April. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Christchurch in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Christchurch. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.

Koh Chang is much warmer than Christchurch in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Chang this time of the year. In the winter, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin July. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun.

Koh Chang usually gets less rain in January than Christchurchin July. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Christchurch in the Spring?

Both Christchurch and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Koh Chang is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Chang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Christchurch. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during spring. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In April, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Christchurchin October. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Koh Chang is June to October.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Koh Chang