A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Chang vs. Kao-hsiung for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Chang or Kao-hsiung?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Kao-hsiung, 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.

Where Should I go: Koh Chang or Kao-hsiung?

Koh Chang

Most people pick Thailand for their destination because they're anxious to collapse on a breathtaking beach. If that is you, Ko Chang does not disappoint. As one the country's most beautiful islands, Ko Chang is full of white beaches and incredible wildlife. Beware, though, you're not the only one with Ko Chang in mind. During the high season, the island can become quite crowded with tourists.

Kao-hsiung

Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Koh Chang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Chang is $70, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $134. 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 Koh Chang and Kao-hsiung in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Chang $28
    Kao-hsiung $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Chang $56
    Kao-hsiung $120
Compare Hotels in Koh Chang and Kao-hsiung

Looking for a hotel in Koh Chang or Kao-hsiung? 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.

Hotels in Koh Chang


Hotels in Kao-hsiung


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: Koh Chang Hotel Prices and Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Chang $15
    Kao-hsiung $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang

Also for Koh Chang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Trat Airport: Shared Transfers to/from Koh Chang with Ferry: $30
  • Koh Chang to BKK or DMK Airport Private Transfers : $161
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $229
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $236

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
  • Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
  • Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
  • Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Chang or Kao-hsiung?

Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung and Koh Chang 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 day
    Koh Chang $33
    Kao-hsiung $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.

  • Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Chang $6.28
    Kao-hsiung $22

Tours and Activities in Koh Chang

For Koh Chang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Kayak Experience in Bang Bao Bay with Lunch: $25
  • Snorkeling Adventure at Koh Chang – Departing from Koh Chang: $32
  • PADI Discover Scuba Dive Experience: $175

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:

  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Kaohsiung Area Classic Tour: $255
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Kaohsiung Departure - Tainan City Day Tour: $220
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kaohsiung Private Tour with Transportation : $249
  • Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $220

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Chang $5.38
    Kao-hsiung $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Chang and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. And not only is Koh Chang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung Expensive?.