A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nadi (Port Denarau) vs. Koh Tao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao, 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: Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao?

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

Koh Tao

With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.

This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.

Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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

  • Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
    Koh Tao Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $198
    Koh Tao $50

The average daily cost (per person) in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $198, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) and Koh Tao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $106
    Koh Tao $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $212
    Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau) and Koh Tao

Looking for a hotel in Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao? 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)


Hotels in Koh Tao


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: Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices and Koh Tao Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.81
    Koh Tao $9.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Zip line Fiji ex Fiji Marriot w/private transfer dropoff Nadi Airport or resort : $168
  • Private Transfer: Nadi Airport to Pacific Harbour - 1 to 4 Seat Vehicle: $130
  • Treetops Zipline Tour with Drop off Transfer to Nadi Airport: $128
  • Fiji Cultural Full Day Island Cruise With Lunch & Transfers : $112
  • Shared transfer- Nadi Airport to Denarau island Fiji: $92
  • CFC Approved Roundtrip Car Transfer - Nadi Airport to Outrigger & Bedarra Inn: $79
  • Private Transfer-Nadi Airport to Nanuku /Pearl/Uprising Resort : $78
  • CFC APPROVED Private Roundtrip Transfer -Nadi Airport to All Maui Bay Properties: $71
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer - Nadi Airport to Fiji Marriott Momi Bay: $68
  • Private Premium Departure Transfer : Hotel to Nadi Airport: $67
  • Private Transfer: Intercontinental Resort and Spa to Nadi Airport: $66
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer - Nadi Airport to Intercontinental & Yatule Resort: $60

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao

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


  • Motorbike Rental
    $5.97
  • Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry
    $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao?

Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Nadi (Port Denarau) 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
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $69
    Koh Tao $18

Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao

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


  • Sit Down Lunch (for One)
    $6.28
  • Breakfast
    $4.71
  • Casual Breakfast (for Two)
    $3.77
  • Fancy Dinner (for Two)
    $15
  • Pancake
    $2.20
  • American Breakfast (for Two)
    $8.79
  • Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)
    $8.48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao

For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
  • Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
  • Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
  • Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $32
    Koh Tao $30

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • "Coral Coast Adventure: Pottery, Kava, Meke, Dunes & Temple'': $118
  • 16 Lines Zipline, Cave and Mud Spa Combo Tour with Lunch in Fiji: $164
  • Authentic Fijian Day Tour: $83
  • Best Sightseeing Tour : $132
  • Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka) : $100
  • CFC Hot Spring Mud Pool,Garden Of Sleeping Giant And Village Visit Half Day Tour: $105
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour : $99
  • Coral Coast Sightseeing & Pottery Village Tour: $80
  • Cultural Night Tour: $80
  • Discover Coral Coast & Natadola Beach Tour: $114
  • Fiji Adventure: Biausevu Waterfall & Dunes hiking Combo Tour!: $135
  • Fiji Island Cultural Experience with Lunch : $184

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao

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


  • Kayak Rental (One Hour)
    $7.85
  • Snorkel Rental
    $3.14
  • Kayak and Snorkel (2)
    $3.14

Tours and Activities in Koh Tao

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.

  • Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $24
  • Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
  • Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
  • Snorkelling Trip 5 Island Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nang yuan: $27
  • Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $27
  • No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
  • 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
  • Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
  • Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
  • Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
  • Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
  • CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11
    Koh Tao $8.22

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $2.04
  • Bottle of Wine
    $12


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

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


Which is Bigger, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Koh Tao?

Nadi (Port Denarau) has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Nadi (Port Denarau) and Koh Tao, 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.