Which place is cheaper, Koh Lipe or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Koh Lipe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Koh Lipe, 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.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Koh Lipe?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Koh Lipe
Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $127Koh Lipe $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $127, while the average daily cost in Koh Lipe is $85. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Aqaba and Koh Lipe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Koh Lipe $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Koh Lipe $88
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Koh Lipe
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Koh Lipe? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Koh Lipe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Koh Lipe $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Petra: $48
- Amman: Day Trip Petra & Wadi Rum Guided Tour with Transfer: $490
- Aqaba Airport transfer to Aqaba City: $25
- Aqaba King Hussein Airport (AQJ): Transfer to Aqaba hotels: $163
- Aqaba King Hussein Airport to Petra Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- Aqaba King Hussein Intl Airport to Petra-Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- Aqaba Or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea, Jordan: $185
- Aqaba Or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Petra, Jordan: $105
- Aqaba Or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum, Jordan: $60
- Aqaba Port to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Aqaba Private Transfer To Wadi Rum, Jordan: $70
- Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:
- Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Koh Lipe?
Prices for flights to both Koh Lipe and Aqaba change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAqaba $42Koh Lipe $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $64
- 4 hour desert jeep tour with overnight in beduin camp including dinner&breakfast: $85
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner : $88
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner Under the Stars: $135
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- From Aqaba to Wadi Rum ,Jeep Tour with Dinner (Half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Koh Lipe $23
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Turgut camp with tour: $15
- 3-Hour Shore Dive or Snorkel Experiences in Aqaba: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- Full Day Private Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum: $36
- Discover Aqaba in Style: A 3-h City Tour by Car with meal: $37
- Walking Tour History ,Culture & Food: $37
- Jeep Tours in Wadi Rum with Bedouin Guide 2,3,4,5 hours | Magic Bedouin Star: $38
- Mosaic Art Experience: $38
- 4-hour sunset tour of desert highlights: $40
Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Tour Sunset Cruise Around Lipe: $15
- Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $21
- Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $24
- Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $25
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $111
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Koh Lipe $8.18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Koh Lipe, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lipe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Koh Lipe 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 Lipe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lipe 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Koh Lipe.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Koh Lipe Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Koh Lipe?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Lipe in the Summer?
Both Koh Lipe and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. In July, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Koh Lipe. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Aqaba can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Aqaba is generally a little warmer than Koh Lipe. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 33°C (91°F), and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Lipe in the Autumn?
Both Koh Lipe and Aqaba during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round.
December to April is the dry season in Koh Lipe. May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aqaba usually gets less rain in October than Koh Lipe. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Aqaba is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Lipe in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Koh Lipe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Koh Lipe. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Aqaba is much colder than Koh Lipe. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aqaba in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Koh Lipe averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)Koh Lipe 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Lipe in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Koh Lipe. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year.
Also, December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. May to October in Koh Lipe is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. Aqaba usually gets less rain in April than Koh Lipe. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Aqaba is generally cooler than Koh Lipe. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)Koh Lipe 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Lipe and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Koh Lipe | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.