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

Should you visit Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan, 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.

Vienna

Vienna is a artistic, musical, and ritzy city. The famous beauty of Vienna is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Vienna travel costs.

Koh Pha Ngan

Koh Pha Ngan is a party-oriented, high energy, and funky party island. The beauty of Koh Pha Ngan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, nightlife, and food. See Koh Pha Ngan travel costs.

Vienna and Koh Pha Ngan: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Pha Ngan. Although Vienna and Koh Pha Ngan are popular destinations, Koh Pha Ngan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Pha Ngan is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Vienna attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Vienna is famous for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Koh Pha Ngan is famous for its wild Full Moon Parties, large backpacker crowds, and strikingly beautiful beaches. It is also well known for the Full Moon Parties.

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

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

Vienna is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Many visitors head to Vienna specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

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

Vienna 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, Vienna makes for a great culinary experience. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Nightlife?

Koh Pha Ngan is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Koh Pha Ngan is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Vienna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Is Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Music?

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

Vienna is a world class music destination. On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Koh Pha Ngan is not a live music destination.

Is Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Resorts?

Koh Pha Ngan is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Vienna is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Koh Pha Ngan makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Vienna is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Pha Ngan is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Vienna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Pha Ngan has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Vienna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Beaches?

Koh Pha Ngan is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Vienna is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Koh Pha Ngan are among the best in 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.

Vienna is not a beach destination.

Is Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Koh Pha Ngan does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Vienna is revered around the world. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

Koh Pha Ngan does not have a historic old town.

Is Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Hiking?

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

Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

Vienna is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan More Beautiful?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Vienna is one of the main draws. The city has beautiful Baroque architecture and a livable atmosphere.

The beauty of Koh Pha Ngan is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The island is more than just Full Moon Parties. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls as well as stunning beaches and eclectic yoga retreats.

Is Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Families?

Vienna is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Vienna. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Couples?

Vienna 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, Vienna has plenty to offer. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

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

Koh Pha Ngan is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Koh Pha Ngan is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Vienna is a good city to visit for backpackers. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Is Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Students?

Vienna 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 Vienna. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

Koh Pha Ngan is not popular with students.

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

Vienna 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 Vienna can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan a more walkable city?

Vienna 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 Vienna on foot is easy. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

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

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

How long in Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan?

In either Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Vienna has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Vienna than Koh Pha Ngan. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Vienna, and 3-5 days is enough time in Koh Pha Ngan.

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

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

One day in Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan?

In Vienna, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this musical city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Koh Pha Ngan. 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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan?

Vienna is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Koh Pha Ngan is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan?

In Vienna, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this classical destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Pha Ngan. 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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan?

Vienna is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the party-oriented destination of Koh Pha Ngan. This party island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Austria, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Vienna 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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan?

Vienna 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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Vienna during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Vienna for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

In July, Vienna is generally around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 23°C (73°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vienna usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Koh Pha Ngan. The autumn months attract visitors to Vienna because of 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.

Vienna is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vienna usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Vienna this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Vienna in the winter. In the winter, Vienna is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vienna in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 22°C (72°F).

Vienna usually gets less rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 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 Vienna or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

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

In April, Vienna is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 13°C (55°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In April, Vienna usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Vienna gets 51 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 Vienna