Which place is cheaper, Xiamen or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bangkok or Xiamen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Xiamen 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.
Where Should I go: Bangkok or Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $86Xiamen $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $86, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $65. 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 Bangkok and Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $47Xiamen $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $94Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok or Xiamen? 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $6.53Xiamen $6.15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.47
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Skytrain Ticket$4.94
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.99
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Ferry Ride$0.80
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Taxi From Airport$7.72
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Short Taxi Ride$2.78
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Boat Taxi$1.54
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Trains to airport$4.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- oneway transfer service Bangkok-Hua hin: $77
- Wat Pho The Reclining Buddha Ticket with Transfer in Bangkok: $27
- Tuk-tuk tour Bangkok by Night with Chinatown meal and hotel transfers: $61
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Hua Hin APT-HTL (BKK): $71
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok HTL- APT(BKK): $19
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok APT-HTL (BKK): $19
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya APT-HTL (DMK): $67
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Hua Hin APT-HTL (DMK): $71
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Pattaya: $65
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to HuaHin: $82
- Transfer from DMK Donmuaeng International Airport to BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport: $33
- Transfer from Bangkok Airport to Pranburi: $127
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer From Xiamen City to Quanzhou City: $79
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $93
- Private Transfer:From Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen downtown: $12
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBangkok $21Xiamen $27
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.18
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.39
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.93
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.18
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Pad Thai$2.16
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $21
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Dinner or Lunch & Thai Massage: $23
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $24
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $26
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $26
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $27
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $27
- Royal Princess Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $30
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $30
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $30
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $18Xiamen $16
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$4.94
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.54
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.18
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$74
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Fish Pedicure$4.63
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.09
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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:
- A Day in Ayutthaya: Private 5 UNESCO Temples Tour From Bangkok: $119
- Ayutthaya Historic Park Group Tour from Bangkok: $65
- Bangkok 4 Hour Cultural & Temples Tour Private with Guide: $97
- Bangkok Sea Life + Madame Tussauds Entrance Tickets : $51
- Bangkok Thrilling Tuk Tuk Tour (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- Maeklong Railway & Floating Market Tour (Private & All-Inclusive): $146
- Sunset Sail, Glittering Temspls at Afternoon Ayutthaya Tours : $53
- Tuk-Tuk Tour Bangkok By Night With Chinatown Street: $70
- 'Sunset Cruise' Canal Boat Tour - Fully guided 3hrs: $82
- "Bangkok Walking Hopping Tour" show city’s historic sights are located.: $74
- (Join Tour) BANGKOK 'S 2 HOURS CANAL TOUR: $86
- 1-hour Bangkok Old City NIGHT Tour on Private TUK TUK: $20
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Xiamen Private Highlight Tour-Gulangyu Island, Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $6.76Xiamen $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Bangkok After Dark: Pub Crawl Adventure: $23
- Pub Crawl: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Xiamen, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok than you might in Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Xiamen?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Xiamen, 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 Bangkok or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bangkok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bangkok or Xiamen in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Xiamen. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Bangkok is generally around the same temperature as Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 29°C (84°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the summer. Bangkok usually gets more rain in July than Xiamen. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBangkok 29°C (84°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Xiamen in the Autumn?
Both Xiamen and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year.
Bangkok is a little warmer than Xiamen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Xiamen fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Bangkok. In October, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Bangkok is November to February. The rainy season in Bangkok is May to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBangkok 28°C (83°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Xiamen in the Winter?
Both Xiamen and Bangkok during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Bangkok is much warmer than Xiamen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bangkok in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Xiamen averages at about 14°C (58°F).
Bangkok usually gets less rain in January than Xiamen. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Bangkok.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBangkok 27°C (80°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Xiamen in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round.
In April, Bangkok is generally a little warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 31°C (87°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bangkok usually receives less rain than Xiamen. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBangkok 31°C (87°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Bangkok
| Bangkok | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.