A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Koh Tao for Food, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Paphos or Koh Tao?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos 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.

Paphos

Paphos is a ancient, beautiful, and cultural town. The beauty of Paphos is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Paphos travel costs.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a popular, laid back, and mellow island. The famous beauty of Koh Tao is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Koh Tao travel costs.

Paphos and Koh Tao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Koh Tao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Paphos. Although Paphos and Koh Tao are popular destinations, Paphos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Paphos is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, historical sights, and shopping, while Koh Tao attracts visitors for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty. Paphos is famous for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. It is also well known for Paphos Archaeological Park. Koh Tao is famous for its affordable scuba diving courses, laid-back island vibe, popularity with backpackers, and stunning island hikes.

How is Paphos different from Koh Tao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Paphos or Koh Tao?

Paphos is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Paphos are world-renowned. The area is well known for its impressive archeological ruins, many of which are found at Paphos Archaeological Site. Other impressive sights include the Tombs of the Kings, the Chrysopolitissa Basilica & St. Paul's Pillar, Agia Paraskevi, and Paphos Fort.

Koh Tao offers a few options for museum-goers. It's a small island that is all about beachfront beauty. Most visitors enjoy the island's outdoor paradise setting, but on those rainy afternoons, there really are very few indoor activities or temples to visit.

Is the Food Better in Paphos or Koh Tao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Paphos is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Paphos is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Food is a huge part of the culture and family life in the area. The cuisine is influenced by the surrounding areas and you'll see similarities to Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Popular dishes include koupepia (vine leaves stuffed with a filling called gemista), souvlaki (a meat and salad filled pita), and makaronia tou fournou (a pasta dish made with halloumi and béchamel sauce).

Dining out in Koh Tao is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a huge ex-pat community on the island, and with them they bring a variety of international cuisines. There are also local establishments that sell the typical Thai dishes with lots of seafood, curries, and noodle dishes. It's fun to enjoy a beachside restaurant that lets you sit right by the water looking off into a tropical paradise.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for Nightlife?

Koh Tao is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Koh Tao know how to have a good time. While most people head for the island for its scuba diving, when the sun goes down everyone heads to the beach to party. The island has a very active nightlife scene with its own Full Moon Parties, dance clubs, beachside bars, and more. Head to Sairee Beach for the most active nightlife and entertainment options.

If you're looking for night time activities Paphos has a few options to choose from. Most people think of history, culture, beaches, and wine, but the city also has its share of clubs and bars. It's not the party-hard beach destination that you'll find at some Mediterranean tourist areas, but there are still plenty of bars and clubs with atmosphere and style. Head to Agiou Antoniou Street for the most action.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for Resorts?

Paphos is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its resorts.

Paphos offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The area is filled with all types of resorts. There are many all-inclusive resorts that cater to families, honeymooners, or luxury vacationers. If you want to experience more of the local culture, there are also smaller boutique hotels or local apartments available.

In Koh Tao, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. While it's mostly famous as a diving destination, there are also a diversity of resorts, from luxury to affordable, available on the island. The beaches are beautiful and many resorts offer scuba diving packages as well.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Tao is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its diving and snorkeling.

People travel to Koh Tao specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The island is Thailand's most famous scuba diving destination for it's affordable certifications and prolific dive shops. There are a variety of dive sites near the island, but with fame and popularity come challenges. The coral and sealife is feeling the pressure of the high number of tourists, and the reefs show their damage. But the training you receive here is affordable and well-established.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Paphos. There are many snorkeling and dive spots that aren't far away. You'll also find a number of scuba or snorkeling excursions that you can join. The water conditions for snorkeling and diving are best during the summer months.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for Beaches?

Both Paphos and Koh Tao have amazing beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Paphos are among the best in the world. Many people head to the area specifically for the beaches. This region has the longest coastline of any region in Cyprus, but keep in mind that some of the best beaches are found outside of the main tourist areas. However, they most are usually accessible by city bus with many remote stretches found along the Akamas Peninsula. Within town the beaches are often rocky and pebbly.

Koh Tao is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The white sand beaches have a mellow vibe with beautiful blue waters. This is a true tropical paradise with beachside cafes, easy snorkeling, and warm water. The beaches range from quiet and isolated to high energy and vibrant.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Koh Tao does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Paphos. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings. The area was revitalized in 2017 and there are many historical sites. It's also fun to go shopping at Kennedy Square and Makariou Avenue.

Koh Tao does not have a historic old town.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for Hiking?

Koh Tao is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Paphos is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Tao. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the inland beauty of the island. There are paths that take you through the jungle covered land to viewpoints and remote areas. Many paths are rustic and not always well maintained so it's helpful to ask a local for directions beforehand.

Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Koh Tao?

Paphos is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its shopping areas.

Paphos is well-known for its shopping. There are outdoor markets, major shopping streets, and international fashion brands. You can pick up local souvenirs or beach gear that you may have forgotten.

Many visitors go to Koh Tao to go shopping. The main beach areas of Mae Haad, Sairee, and Chalok Baan Kao have the highest concentration of clothing and dive equipment shops. Because it's an island with limited access, prices can be a bit high.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao More Beautiful?

Koh Tao is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Koh Tao is one of the main draws. The island is famous for its cheap diving scene and underwater beauty, but there are also stunning beaches with crystal blue waters as well as quiet bays.

The beauty of Paphos is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The area is known for its world-renowned archeological ruins, stunning beaches, and beautiful outdoor setting.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for Families?

Paphos is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Paphos is very family-friendly. There are plenty of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Head to the beach or take a walk along the coastline. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to the zoo, bird park, or aquarium and young thrill seekers will enjoy a day at the Aqua-park of Aphrodite. And, of course, there's also the ruins that kids can have fun exploring.

Koh Tao is a family-friendly place to visit. The island is popular for its affordable scuba diving certifications, so there are a number of options for families with older kids who'd like to get certified. It's also a more laid back and smaller island than some nearby places, so it's possible to find quiet beaches where your family can relax. Some of the quieter beaches include Sai Nuan and Ao Luek. You'll still find a large number of backpackers on the island, but there's a more chill atmosphere with most visitors focused on scuba diving and exploring.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for Couples?

Paphos is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for couples.

Paphos has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Honeymooners who enjoy history, nature, beaches, and culture will find it all in the area. There are stunning beaches where you can relax in the sun, world renowned archeological ruins where you can immerse yourself in a historical world, and beautiful views around every corner. There are also excellent restaurants and wine tasting opportunities that will make for a memorable trip.

Koh Tao is a very popular place to visit for couples. This laid back island offers a relaxing honeymoon destination for couples who want to learn to scuba dive and enjoy a bit of tropical paradise. There are beachside restaurants, beautiful blue waters, white sand, and everything you need for your own piece of paradise.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Tao is renowned for backpackers. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Tao is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The island is an oasis for backpackers who want to enjoy the mellow island life, learn to scuba dive cheaply, and have fun at a beachside party. There are plenty of affordable places to stay and countless opportunities to meet other backpackers. The island is also well connected to other nearby islands.

Many backpackers visit Paphos. The area is generally accessible with a few good hostels and budget accommodation options sprinkled about. There are great beaches and restaurants as well as plenty of beautiful places to enjoy a walk.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Paphos is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Paphos can get you to some places easily. It's possible to get around by city bus to most places. Buses connect many touristy areas such as Kato Paphos, Tombs of the Kings, Chloraka, Kissonerga, Coral Bay and Paphos Center.

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Tao. You can rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore the island. There are also taxis and taxi boats available.

Is Paphos or Koh Tao a more walkable city?

Koh Tao is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Koh Tao is very walkable. The island is smaller than many islands in Thailand, and the small towns are usually no more than 5 kilometers apart. It's also possible to walk around most of the small towns.

Paphos is a somewhat walkable place. The main tourist area is Kato Paphos which is small, compact and easy to walk around, but if you want to head to areas further away then you likely won't be able to travel on foot. It's important to understand where your hotel is located if you're planning to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Paphos Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Tao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Tao or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Koh Tao?

Both Paphos and Koh Tao have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Tao than in Paphos. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 2-7 days is enough time in Koh Tao.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Tao than Paphos if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Koh Tao.

One day in Paphos or Koh Tao?

In Paphos, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Koh Tao. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Koh Tao?

In Paphos, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Koh Tao is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Paphos or Koh Tao?

Paphos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Paphos has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Tao. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Paphos or Koh Tao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paphos. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Paphos. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the tropical destination of Koh Tao. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Koh Tao?

Paphos has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Paphos 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.

When is the best time to visit Paphos or Koh Tao?

Paphos has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Koh Tao in the Summer?

Both Koh Tao and Paphos during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Paphos because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.

In the summer, Paphos is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Paphos in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun.

Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tao. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Koh Tao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Koh Tao. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Paphos is generally cooler than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 21°C (70°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao.

Should I visit Paphos or Koh Tao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Koh Tao. Many travelers come to Paphos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.

Paphos is much colder than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In the winter, Paphos often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.

Should I visit Paphos or Koh Tao in the Spring?

Both Koh Tao and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Paphos in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Paphos is cooler than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Paphos in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June.

Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Paphos