Which place is cheaper, Koh Tarutao or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Koh Tarutao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Koh Tarutao, 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 Tarutao?
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 Tarutao
While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, and The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $127Koh Tarutao $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $127, while the average daily cost in Koh Tarutao is $98. 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 Tarutao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Koh Tarutao $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Koh Tarutao $100
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Koh Tarutao
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Koh Tarutao? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Koh Tarutao $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- transfer from aqaba airport to aqaba city(or hotel ): $50
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Port Private Transfer: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Border Terminal Private Transfer: $85
- Wadi Araba Border (Eilat) Private Transfer To Petra: $135
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border : $133
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Wadi rum: $45
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $59
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $29
- Private Transfers from Wadi Rum: Dead Sea, Petra, Amman, Aqaba & vice versa: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Koh Tarutao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao $28
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
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner : $88
- Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- From Aqaba to Wadi Rum ,Jeep Tour with Dinner (Half Day): $185
- 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Koh Tarutao $14
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour in Jeep Tour with Bedouin Guide: $81
- Discover the Depths: Aqaba's Ultimate private Dive Experience: $55
- Full-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum without Overnight Stay: $85
- 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum : $84
- 2 Days 1 Night in Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $204
- 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
- 2 Days private tour Petra, Wadi Rum (overnight) from Amman: $682
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $28
- 2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with Bedouin guide (incl. bottled water and tea): $100
- 2-Hour Private Scuba Experience in Aqaba : $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Koh Tarutao $7.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Koh Tarutao, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tarutao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao.
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 Tarutao Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Koh Tarutao?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Tarutao in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Koh Tarutao. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tarutao. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba is a little warmer than Koh Tarutao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aqaba in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Koh Tarutao averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Tarutao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tarutao and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Koh Tarutao. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Aqaba is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tarutao. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Tarutao fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Tarutao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tarutao and Aqaba during the winter 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 Tarutao year-round.
Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tarutao. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Aqaba is much colder than Koh Tarutao in the winter. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Koh Tarutao fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)Koh Tarutao 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Tarutao in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Koh Tarutao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Koh Tarutao. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Aqaba is cooler than Koh Tarutao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aqaba in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Tarutao averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)Koh Tarutao 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tarutao and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Koh Tarutao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.