A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kolkata (Calcutta) vs. Koh Phi Phi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kolkata (Calcutta) or Koh Phi Phi?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kolkata (Calcutta) or Koh Phi Phi, 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: Kolkata (Calcutta) or Koh Phi Phi?

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?

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

  • Kolkata (Calcutta) Prices
    India Prices
    Koh Phi Phi Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $45
    Koh Phi Phi $95

The average daily cost (per person) in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $45, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $95. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $16
    Koh Phi Phi $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $32
    Koh Phi Phi $100
Compare Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta) and Koh Phi Phi

Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta) or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)


Hotels in Koh Phi Phi


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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices and Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.85
    Koh Phi Phi $7.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):

  • Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
  • The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
  • Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
  • Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $65
  • Kolkata Hotels to Kolkata Airport drop: Private Transfers: $35
  • Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $35
  • Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:


  • Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)
    $17
  • 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:

  • Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $28
  • Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Kolkata (Calcutta) or Koh Phi Phi?

Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $23
    Koh Phi Phi $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).

  • Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $26
  • Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
  • Alleyway Food Tour: $46
  • Food Tour Delights of Kolkata with Aditya: $118

Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:


  • Crepe
    $1.88
  • Sit Down Lunch
    $11
  • Casual Lunch
    $6.59
  • Coconut Donut
    $0.31
  • Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)
    $13
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $14
    Koh Phi Phi $52

Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:

  • 02 Days Private Kolkata Tour with Lunch : $179
  • A Unique Experience of Kolkata Public Transport System: $98
  • Capturing the City of Joy; Full Day Kolkata Street Photography Tour: $85
  • Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $41
  • Custom Private Kolkata Sightseeing with English speaking Guide: $75
  • Durga Puja 2025 Tours -The Festival Enjoyed Close Up: $75
  • Explore Kolkata- Private Full Day Tour: $99
  • Full Day Pilgrimage Tour of Ganga Sagar from Kolkata: $100
  • Gangasagar Pilgrimage Day Tour from Kolkata: $147
  • Half Day Private Tour of Kolkata with a Local Companion: $69
  • Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $49
  • Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata: $70

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi

For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 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.

  • Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $15
  • Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $18
  • Phi Phi Sunset Longtail Boat Cruise to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $18
  • Phuket Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $19
  • Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
  • Half-Day Phi Phi Island Longtail Boat Tour with Maya Bay Visit: $19
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
  • Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $20
  • Phuket Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket (SHA Plus): $22
  • Trick Eye Museum at Phuket Admission Ticket: $24
  • Half-Day Morning Bamboo Island Tour from Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $25
  • Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.85
    Koh Phi Phi $6.51

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:


  • Mojito Bucket
    $16
  • Banana Daiquiri
    $6.28


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Koh Phi Phi?

Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 4630 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Kolkata (Calcutta) 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.