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

Should you visit Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toronto and Koh Pha Ngan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toronto

Toronto is a cultural, diverse, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toronto 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 nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Koh Pha Ngan travel costs.

Toronto and Koh Pha Ngan: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koh Pha Ngan. Although Toronto and Koh Pha Ngan are both popular with visitors, Koh Pha Ngan has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koh Pha Ngan is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Toronto is known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities. Koh Pha Ngan is more touristy than Toronto and is popular for its wild Full Moon Parties, large backpacker crowds, and strikingly beautiful beaches. It is also home to the Full Moon Parties. Toronto is popular for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.

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

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

Toronto 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 Toronto that are not to be missed. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toronto 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, Toronto makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Nightlife?

The amazing nightlife scene is relatively similar in Toronto and Koh Pha Ngan.

Toronto is a must-see party destination. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Koh Pha Ngan is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Resorts?

Koh Pha Ngan is a party island with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Pha Ngan is a party island with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Toronto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Beaches?

Koh Pha Ngan is terrific for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Koh Pha Ngan is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Hiking?

Koh Pha Ngan is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Toronto 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.

Toronto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan More Beautiful?

Koh Pha Ngan is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its 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.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Families?

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

Toronto is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Couples?

Toronto is well known for romance. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Pha Ngan is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Toronto 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.

Toronto is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Is Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Students?

Toronto 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 Toronto. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Koh Pha Ngan is not popular with students.

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

Toronto 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 Toronto can get you around easily. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan a more walkable city?

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

Toronto is very walkable. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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

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

How long in Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Toronto 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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan?

Each neighborhood in Toronto 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.

In Koh Pha Ngan, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This party island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan?

Toronto 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.

In Koh Pha Ngan, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan?

Each neighborhood in Toronto 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.

Koh Pha Ngan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Pha Ngan has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan?

Toronto 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Pha Ngan. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Koh Pha Ngan. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, The Best Luxury Tours to Canada, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

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

Which is Bigger, Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 390 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Toronto 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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan?

Toronto 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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Toronto during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Toronto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

Toronto is cooler than Koh Pha Ngan in the summer. The daily temperature in Toronto averages around 21°C (70°F) 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. Toronto usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Toronto gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toronto and Koh Pha Ngan. Most visitors come to Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Toronto is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toronto in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (75°F).

Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Toronto usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Toronto gets 61 mm (2.4 in) 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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Toronto as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The winter months attract visitors to Toronto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

The weather in Toronto can be very cold. In January, Toronto is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Toronto average around -4°C (25°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Toronto usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Koh Pha Ngan. Toronto gets 52 mm (2 in) 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 Toronto or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Toronto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Toronto this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Toronto is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the spring. The daily temperature in Toronto averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In April, Toronto usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Toronto gets 63 mm (2.5 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 Toronto