A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rotterdam vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Nightlife, Backpackers, Food, and Families

Should you visit Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a modern, trendy, and high energy port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Rotterdam travel costs.

Koh Pha Ngan

Koh Pha Ngan is a backpacker-friendly, tropical, and party-oriented party island. With stunning beauty, Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Koh Pha Ngan travel costs.

Rotterdam and Koh Pha Ngan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Pha Ngan than Rotterdam, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Pha Ngan is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Rotterdam is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities. Koh Pha Ngan is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its wild Full Moon Parties, large backpacker crowds, and strikingly beautiful beaches. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is famous for the Full Moon Parties. Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

Rotterdam is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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 the Food Better in Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rotterdam is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rotterdam makes for a great culinary experience. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains. The city is also known for its food halls, which provide a variety of gourmet flavors from around the globe.

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 Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Nightlife?

Koh Pha Ngan is an amazing party island to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Koh Pha Ngan has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Is Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Resorts?

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

Koh Pha Ngan has a few great resort options. 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.

Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Pha Ngan is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Beaches?

Koh Pha Ngan is an amazing party island to visit for the beach. However, Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Hiking?

Koh Pha Ngan is great for hiking. However, Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Pha Ngan for the hiking trails. 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.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

Rotterdam is well known for shopping. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Rotterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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 Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan More Beautiful?

Koh Pha Ngan is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Rotterdam is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors from all around. The island is more than just Full Moon Parties. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls as well as stunning beaches and eclectic yoga retreats.

Rotterdam is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Families?

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

Rotterdam is a very family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Koh Pha Ngan both notable destinations for a couple.

Rotterdam is a good port city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Koh Pha Ngan is a nice destination for couples. 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 Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Pha Ngan is an amazing party island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Koh Pha Ngan, as it is a very popular party island for budget travelers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Students?

Rotterdam is well known for students. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not popular with students.

Rotterdam is very popular with students. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Koh Pha Ngan is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam is well known for its public transit. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is well known for its walkability. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Rotterdam is very walkable. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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 Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

In either Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Rotterdam because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 3-5 days is enough time in Koh Pha Ngan.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Rotterdam 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 Pha Ngan.

One day in Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

Each neighborhood in Rotterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the party island of Koh Pha Ngan. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

Rotterdam is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the funky destination of Koh Pha Ngan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This party island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the trendy big city of Rotterdam. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

You'll find nightlife and food around the backpacker-friendly party island of Koh Pha Ngan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this party island makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this party island has to offer.

A week in Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

Rotterdam is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Koh Pha Ngan is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

In the summer, Rotterdam is cooler than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan is October and November.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

Rotterdam can be very cold during winter. Rotterdam is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Koh Pha Ngan. The spring months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the activities around the city. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Rotterdam is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).

In April, Rotterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Pha Ngan. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) 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 Rotterdam