Should you visit Bangkok or Hong Kong?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Bangkok and Hong Kong can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.
Which city is cheaper, Hong Kong or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $65, while the average daily cost in Hong Kong is $129. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Bangkok and Hong Kong in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Bangkok is $70. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
The prices for places to stay in Hong Kong can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $60, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $120.
Food
The average traveler spends about $16 per day in Bangkok for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
In Hong Kong travelers spend around $26 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bangkok $16
Hong Kong $26
Typical Food prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
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Silom Village Authentic Thai Dinner and Performance Ticket:
$17
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Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet:
$23
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Luxurious Afternoon Tea or Dinner at the Erawan Tea Rooms:
$26
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Skip the Line: Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner:
$26
-
Bangkok Thai Classical Dance with Thai Set Dinner Ticket:
$27
-
Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show Tour With Optional Dinner.:
$31
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Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show With Optional Dinner & Transfers:
$31
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2-Hour Dinner & Shows on White Orchid River Cruise:
$32
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Skip the Line:Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show Ticket w/(optional) Dinner &Transfers:
$32
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Bangkok Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River:
$34
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Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River in Bangkok (Optional Transfers):
$34
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Bangkok White Orchid Dinner Cruise:
$34
Typical Food prices in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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E-Ticket: Symphony of Lights Dinner Cruise and Free Transfer:
$64
-
2-Hour Dinner & Shows on Victoria Harbour Night Cruise:
$81
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Hong Kong Market Tour and Cantonese Cooking Class with a Local Chef:
$154
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Private Food Tour: The Best Bites of Mongkok:
$204
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Private Food Tour: The Best Bites of Hong Kong Island:
$204
-
Private Romantic Dinner for 2 on Luxury Yacht:
$1,549
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Bangkok is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $4.42 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bangkok.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Hong Kong than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $7.03 on transportation in Hong Kong on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
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oneway transfer service Bangkok-Hua hin:
$85
-
VIP Bus Transfers between Bangkok and Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok Hotel:
$45
-
Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Rayong Province:
$99
-
Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Pattaya:
$68
-
Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Koh Chang:
$150
-
Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to HuaHin:
$85
-
Transfer from Don Mueang (DMK) Airport to Bangkok city:
$31
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Transfer from DMK Donmuaeng International Airport to BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport:
$34
-
Transfer from Bangkok Hotel to Suvarnabhumi Airport:
$45
-
Transfer from Bangkok Airport to Bangkok Hotel by Deluxe Vehicle:
$135
-
Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to khao Yai National Park:
$85
Typical Local Transportation prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hong Kong
Also for Hong Kong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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3-Day Private Hong Kong Tour with Hotel and Round-trip Airport Transfer:
$919
-
3-Night Regal HongKong Hotel Package with Airport Transfer, Tours and E-Tickets:
$598
-
3-Night Regal Kowloon Hotel Package with Airport Transfer and Tours:
$695
-
3-Night West Hotel Hong Kong Package with Airport Transfer and Tours:
$485
-
5 Seater Mercedes Benz Van Airport Transfer:
$110
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Arrival Private Transfer from Hong Kong Airport HKG to Hong Kong City in Business Van:
$77
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Hong Kong Cruise Port to City by Business Van:
$74
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Combo: Disneyland Ticket Plus Free Hotel to Disneyland Transfer:
$117
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Combo: Disneyland Ticket with Round Trip Transfer:
$129
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Daily Group Tour: Disneyland Admission With Hotel 2-Way Transfer from Hong Kong Island:
$134
-
Departure Private Transfer Hong Kong City to Cruise Port by Business Car:
$74
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Departure Private Transfer: Hong Kong City to Cruise Port by Minivan:
$74
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Hong Kong?
Prices for flights to both Hong Kong and Bangkok 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Bangkok typically cost an average of $12 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing expenses in Hong Kong, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $76 per day, per person.
Typical Entertainment prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket
$4.92
-
Grand Palace Entrance Ticket
$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket
$1.54
-
Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)
$6.15
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Club Cover Charge
$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)
$74
-
Fish Pedicure
$4.61
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Wat Pho entrance ticket
$3.08
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Siriraj Museum (2)
$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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"Phra Nakorn Khiri and Kui Buri adventure in 1 day" (Private trip):
$322
-
"Two Day one Night for River Kwai Adventure" (Private):
$442
-
04 DAYS CENTRAL HIGHLIGHTS - Joint Tour:
$692
-
1-day Bangkok Old Town Tuk Tuk Tour - Sawasdee Tuk Tuk:
$102
-
10 Hours Private Tour Ayuttaya:
$140
-
11-Day Thailand Tour to Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phuket:
$2,921
-
12-Day Tour Through Cambodia from Bangkok to Saigon:
$1,165
-
2 Days Private Tour To Ayutthaya' World Heritage Site:
$428
-
2-Day River Kwai Experience from Bangkok:
$262
-
2-Day River Kwai Floathouse Experience from Bangkok:
$346
-
2-Day River Kwai Jungle Rafts Experience from Bangkok:
$231
-
2-Day River Kwai and Kanchanaburi Tour from Bangkok:
$228
Typical Entertainment prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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A Food Adventure in Hong Kong with a Local Foodie:
$2.64
-
Peak Tram Sky Pass: Tram Ticket, Hong Kong Sky Tour and Sky Terrace 428 Entry:
$13
-
E-Ticket: Peak Tram Round Trip and Sky Terrace:
$17
-
sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck Admission Ticket:
$19
-
Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ticket on Lantau Island:
$21
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Skip the line: E-Tickets in Macau:
$23
-
Victoria Peak Hong Kong (Tai Ping Shan) Ticket:
$24
-
Hong Kong Sky100 Admission Ticket:
$24
-
Victoria Harbour Cruise by Aqua Luna:
$28
-
Central Street Art Walking Tour:
$28
-
sky100 Admission Ticket for Two Person with One Free Café 100 Dining Voucher:
$31
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Skip The Line: Ngong Ping Cable Car Round Trip Voucher:
$31
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bangkok may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.34 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typically, people visiting Hong Kong spend on average $17 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
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4-Hour Sukhumvit Bar Crawl:
$7.50
-
4-Hour Thonglor Bar Crawl:
$20
-
Guided Bar Crawl:
$21
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From Khao Yai Wine Tasting by Bike:
$359
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Hong Kong, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong than you might in Bangkok.
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