A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers New York City vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for New York City and Koh Pha Ngan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

New York City

New York City is a vibrant, energetic, and cosmopolitan city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. New York City is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See New York City travel costs.

Koh Pha Ngan

Koh Pha Ngan is a funky, beautiful, and backpacker-friendly party island. Koh Pha Ngan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Koh Pha Ngan travel costs.

New York City and Koh Pha Ngan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New York City. Although New York City and Koh Pha Ngan are both popular with visitors, New York City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. New York City is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Koh Pha Ngan is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. New York City is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. It is also home to The Statue of Liberty. Koh Pha Ngan is popular for its wild Full Moon Parties, large backpacker crowds, and strikingly beautiful beaches.

How is New York City different from Koh Pha Ngan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

New York City is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in New York City that are not to be missed. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

While most people don't head to Koh Pha Ngan specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Visitors come of the natural beauty, outdoor sports, and hardcore parties more than the sights and museums. Kuan Yin Temple is worth visiting, as is Wat Pho and Wat Phu Khao Noi.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Theater?

New York City is a world-class destination for theatre. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not a theatre destination.

The theater scene in New York City is world-class. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Koh Pha Ngan is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in New York City or Koh Pha Ngan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

New York City has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

Koh Pha Ngan has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There is frequent turnover in the restaurant scene around town, but there are a few mainstay restaurants that offer consistent and reliable Thai or international cuisine. In general, the food is fresh and the typical Thai favorites are available most places. Also make sure you check out the Thong Sala Night Market, which offers unique snacks and local dishes.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Nightlife?

Both New York City and Koh Pha Ngan have first-rate vibes after the sun sets.

New York City is a world class party destination. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

Koh Pha Ngan is a must-see party destination. The island's famous Full Moon Parties have landed it on many lists for top party destinations around the world. These parties are held every month on the night of the full moon, with the biggest crowds between November and March. The parties are traditionally held at the beach in Haad Rin. If you miss the Full Moon Party, you can check out the Half Moon Festival on Baan Ti. During other times, you'll find a variety of different parties that capitalize on the party reputation of the island, so whenever you visit, you can enjoy some level of festivities.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Music?

New York City is a world-class destination for live music. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not a live music destination.

New York City is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Koh Pha Ngan is not a live music destination.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Resorts?

Koh Pha Ngan is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, New York City is not a resort destination.

Koh Pha Ngan has a handful of resorts to choose from. Much of the island caters to the backpacker crowd, but there are some luxury resorts to choose from as well. Many resorts take advantage of the beautiful nature on the island or intentionally prioritize a serene environment where you can relax by the pool.

New York City is not a resort destination.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Pha Ngan is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New York City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Koh Pha Ngan. The island has its share of dive shops and a nice underwater setting where you can see coral and a variety of marine life. The island doesn't draw the huge diving crowds like some of the other islands, but that isn't always a bad thing.

New York City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Beaches?

Koh Pha Ngan is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, New York City is not a beach destination.

Koh Pha Ngan offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The white sand beaches with turquoise blue waters make this island a truly beautiful destination. While most people think of beach parties and Full Moon Parties, the island also has some quieter beaches where you can relax in a peaceful paradise. The parties are mostly concentrated around Sunrise Beach in Haad Rin. This beach also has cheap bungalows that are popular with the backpacker crowd. For the quieter beaches, head to the northern side of the island around Hat Khuat and Hat Thian.

New York City is not a beach destination.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Hiking?

Koh Pha Ngan is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, New York City is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Pha Ngan. In its interior, the island has beautiful jungle and impressive hikes. Some of the best hikes are found in Than Sadet National Park, but come prepared because they can often be challenging. They usually end with a breathtaking viewpoint, secluded beach, or stunning waterfall though.

New York City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

New York City is a world-class destination for shopping. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

New York City is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Pha Ngan has some nice offerings. Although shopping isn't particularly popular on the island, it does offer a unique opportunity to support individual shop owners as there are more independently owned vendors on this island than in many other areas. Head to the markets and you'll find the most independent shops to support.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan More Beautiful?

Koh Pha Ngan is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Koh Pha Ngan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The island is more than just Full Moon Parties. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls as well as stunning beaches and eclectic yoga retreats.

New York City is a beautiful place to visit, too. The beauty of the skyline at night or the views from the top of the Empire State Building will take your breath away.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Families?

New York City is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

New York City is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

For families, Koh Pha Ngan is not always the best place to visit. Most people think of Full Moon Parties and backpacker crowds when they think of this island. There are actually some quieter areas on the eastern and northern sides of the island that are good for families. The activities are best suited for older kids and include hiking, windsurfing, yoga, and shopping.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Couples?

New York City is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, New York City has plenty to offer. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Koh Pha Ngan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy partying, yoga retreats, and outdoor exploration will find something for them on this island. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls as well as nice beaches and, of course, the wild parties.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Pha Ngan is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Koh Pha Ngan. This island is synonymous with backpacker vibes and full moon parties. Head to the southern side of the island around Haad Rin and Ban Tai for the highest concentration of backpacker crowds. Like much of Thailand, there is frequent turnover in hostel ownership, so most reviews that you read online will be out of date. It's best to talk to people on the road to get the most up-to-date perspective.

New York City is a great city to visit for backpackers. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Students?

New York City is a world-class destination for students. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit New York City. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Koh Pha Ngan is not popular with students.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

New York City is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in New York City can get you around easily. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Koh Pha Ngan. Your best bet for getting around the island without a private vehicle is Songthaew taxi, longtail boats, and rental mopeds.

Is New York City or Koh Pha Ngan a more walkable city?

New York City is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around New York City on foot is easy. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

Koh Pha Ngan is a somewhat walkable place. It's possible, and even enjoyable, to walk from place to place around the island but allow yourself a lot of time and bring water because temperatures can be very warm.

For even more information, also check out Is New York City Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan or New York City?

How long in New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

In either New York City or Koh Pha Ngan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in New York City than Koh Pha Ngan because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for New York City, and 3-5 days is enough time in Koh Pha Ngan.

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

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

One day in New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

Each neighborhood in New York City has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the tropical destination of Koh Pha Ngan. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

New York City is a fun place to experience. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Pha Ngan. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

Each neighborhood in New York City has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Koh Pha Ngan. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This party island offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

New York City is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the beautiful party island of Koh Pha Ngan. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New York City Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 680 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of New York City and Koh Pha Ngan, 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.

When is the best time to visit New York City or Koh Pha Ngan?

New York City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Pha Ngan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit New York City or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and New York City during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New York City for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

New York City is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan in the summer. The daily temperature in New York City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in New York City. New York City usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. New York City gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New York City or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New York City and Koh Pha Ngan. Many visitors come to New York City in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, New York City is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New York City in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (75°F).

Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, New York City usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. New York City gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan.

Should I visit New York City or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New York City as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Most visitors come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

New York City can be very cold during winter. In January, New York City is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in New York City average around 31°F (-1°C), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

New York City usually gets more rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. New York City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season.

Should I visit New York City or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and New York City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to New York City because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

New York City is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the spring. The daily temperature in New York City averages around 52°F (11°C) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In April, New York City usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. New York City gets 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and New York City