Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Koh Phi Phi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays? 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: Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays?
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Koh Phi Phi Prices
Thailand PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Phi Phi $95Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Phi Phi is $95, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Phi Phi and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Phi Phi $50Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Phi Phi $100Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Koh Phi Phi and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays? 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: Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Phi Phi $7.93Whitsundays $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
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Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$17
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Longboat Taxi$3.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $80
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Koh Phi Phi 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
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Food Meals for one dayKoh Phi Phi $23Whitsundays $52
Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
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Crepe$1.88
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Sit Down Lunch$11
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Casual Lunch$6.59
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Coconut Donut$0.31
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Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$13
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Sit Down Dinner$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- International Dinner & Cabaret Show - Ala Carte Package: $22
- International Dinner & Cabaret Show - Set Menu Package: $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Phi Phi $52Whitsundays $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental$9.42
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Activities In & Around Phuket: Full Day Customizable Tour : $110
- 6 Hours Private Tour Around Phi Phi Islands From Phi Phi: $184
- Banana Beach Premium: Shared Tour: $137
- Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $65
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $15
- Half Day Rainforest and Waterfall Tour in Thailand: $99
- Half Day Tour Around Phi Phi Islands By Private Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $110
- Half-Day Morning Bamboo Island Tour from Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $25
- Half-Day Phi Phi Island Longtail Boat Tour with Maya Bay Visit: $19
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
- Maya Bay Sleep aboard Tour From Phi Phi: $143
- Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $31
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Phi Phi $6.51Whitsundays $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
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Mojito Bucket$16
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Banana Daiquiri$6.28
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Phi Phi and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Koh Phi Phi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Phi Phi is in Asia and Whitsundays 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 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays?
Whitsundays 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 Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Koh Phi Phi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.
In July, Koh Phi Phi is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundaysin January. Daily temperatures in Koh Phi Phi average around 28°C (82°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Koh Phi Phi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. In July, Koh Phi Phi usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Koh Phi Phi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKoh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Koh Phi Phi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Koh Phi Phi is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Phi Phi averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Koh Phi Phi often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin April. Koh Phi Phi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.
Whitsundays gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Koh Phi Phi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKoh Phi Phi 27°C (81°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Phi Phi and Whitsundays. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.
In the winter, Koh Phi Phi is much warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Phi Phi in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Phi Phi usually receives more sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Koh Phi Phi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Koh Phi Phi usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin July. Koh Phi Phi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Koh Phi Phi is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKoh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Koh Phi Phi or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Phi Phi as well as Whitsundays. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Koh Phi Phi is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin October. Daily temperatures in Koh Phi Phi average around 29°C (84°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Phi Phi often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin October. Koh Phi Phi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.
Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Phi Phi usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Koh Phi Phi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. May to November in Koh Phi Phi is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKoh Phi Phi 29°C (84°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Koh Phi Phi
| Koh Phi Phi | Whitsundays | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
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.