A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tampere vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tampere or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tampere and Koh Pha Ngan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tampere or Koh Pha Ngan?

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tampere or Koh Pha Ngan?

Tampere has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Tampere 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 Tampere or Koh Pha Ngan?

Tampere 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 Tampere or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

In July, Tampere is generally cooler than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 16°C (61°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Tampere usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Tampere is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around 5°C (42°F) in October, 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, Tampere usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 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 Tampere or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Tampere during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. In the winter, Tampere is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampere in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 22°C (72°F).

Tampere usually gets less rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 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 Tampere or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Tampere can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Tampere is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 3°C (38°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In April, Tampere usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 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 Tampere