A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beirut vs. Phuket for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Beirut or Phuket?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Phuket. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Beirut or Phuket?

Beirut

Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.

Phuket

Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Phuket or Beirut?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, while the average daily cost in Phuket is $105. 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 Beirut and Phuket in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beirut $1.26
    Phuket $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beirut $2.52
    Phuket $112
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Phuket

Looking for a hotel in Beirut or Phuket? 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.

Hotels in Beirut


Hotels in Phuket


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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Phuket Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beirut $0.44
    Phuket $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut

Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
  • BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
  • Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201
  • Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
  • Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
  • Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
  • Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
  • Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
  • Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
  • Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $46

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:


  • Longtail Taxi (for Two)
    $8.18
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    $6.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:

  • Ziplining Hanuman Experience in Phuket with Roundtrip Transfer (SHA Plus): $85
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Phuket HTL-APT (HKT): $27
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Phuket APT-HTL (HKT): $27
  • Transfer to or from Phuket International Airport by Sedan: $17
  • Transfer from Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotel: $21
  • TAXI PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to PHUKET TOWN (SHA Plus): $30
  • TAXI AIRPORT TRANSFER to RASSADA PIER: $25
  • Simon Cabaret Phuket Show Included Tickets and Transfer: $28
  • Siam Niramit Phuket Admission Ticket with Transfer Option: $44
  • Shared Transfer from Phuket to Koh Tao by Coach and Catamaran: $59
  • Shared Transfer Phuket International Airport (HKT) To Phuket City - Arrival: $33
  • RoundTrip Priva Transfer Phuket Airport to Talang, Kathu or Muang: $54

Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Phuket?

Prices for flights to both Phuket and Beirut 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Beirut $0.71
    Phuket $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut

For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
  • Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
  • Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
  • Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
  • Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142

Typical Food Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:


  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $7.88
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.64
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $12
  • Thai Noodles
    $2.45
  • Bananas
    $0.68
  • Pizza (for Two)
    $8.18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.

  • Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
  • Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
  • Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
  • Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
  • Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
  • Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
  • Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
  • Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
  • Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
  • Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
  • Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
  • Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beirut $0.26
    Phuket $42

Tours and Activities in Beirut

For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $15
  • Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
  • City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $34
  • Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
  • Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
  • Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
  • Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $48
  • Historical Beirut Tour (AM) Half Day - (4G on Board): $50
  • New Small-Group Tour Semi-Private to Jeita,Harissa&Byblos: $50
  • From Jeita, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $50

Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket

Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • One Day Boat Tour
    $25
  • Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
    $68
  • Thai Oil Massage
    $17
  • Surfboard Rental
    $8.18

Tours and Activities in Phuket

Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3 Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speed Boat: $43
  • Activities In & Around Full Day Customizable Tour: $90
  • Amazing Krabi Private 1 day tour from Phuket by VAN: $218
  • James Bond Island Highlights Tour from Phuket with Lunch: $115
  • Khai Island Half Day Tour by Speedboat from Phuket (SHA Plus): $61
  • Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Tour with Seaview Lunch from Phuket: $68
  • Whitewater Rafting & ATV Adventure Tour from Phuket including Lunch: $118
  • Zipline Adventure 32 Platforms + Roller + Skywalk: $108
  • 2 Hours Phuket Old Town Street Food Walking Tour: $45
  • 2-Hour ATV Tour from Phuket: $77
  • 2x Snorkelling Phi Phi, Maiton, Maya Bay, khai islands tour: $58
  • 4 Waters Eco Adventure: $96

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beirut $0.23
    Phuket $6.35

Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut

Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour at Chateau Musar and Ixsir : $50
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
  • Uncorking Splendor: A Journey Through Private Wine Tasting Tours: $60
  • Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
  • Wine Tasting and Culture : $69
  • Wine Tasting and Hiking in the Cedars forest : $69
  • From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
  • Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
  • Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $103
  • Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110

Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:


  • Cocktails (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Beer
    $2.32

Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket

Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
  • Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
  • Pub Crawl Tour: $25
  • Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $77
  • Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
  • Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
  • Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Phuket, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East and Phuket 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket than you might in Beirut.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Phuket Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Beirut or Phuket?

Beirut has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Beirut and Phuket, 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 Beirut or Phuket?

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 Beirut or Phuket in the Summer?

Both Phuket and Beirut during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.

Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beirut usually gets less rain in July than Phuket. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beirut. In the summer, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Phuket. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phuket receives 206 hours of full sun.

Beirut is around the same temperature as Phuket in the summer. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Phuket fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Beirut 27°C (81°F) 
    Phuket 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Phuket in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Phuket. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Beirut usually receives less rain than Phuket. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Phuket during autumn. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Phuket receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Beirut is around the same temperature as Phuket. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beirut in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Phuket averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Beirut 25°C (77°F) 
    Phuket 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Phuket in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Phuket. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.

Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Beirut receives a lot of rain in the winter. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Phuket. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. In the winter, Beirut often gets less sunshine than Phuket. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phuket receives 287 hours of full sun.

In January, Beirut is generally much colder than Phuket. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 13°C (55°F), and Phuket fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Beirut 13°C (55°F) 
    Phuket 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Phuket in the Spring?

Both Phuket and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Phuket is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. In April, Beirut usually receives less rain than Phuket. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Phuket. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives less sunshine than Phuket during spring. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Phuket receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Beirut is much colder than Phuket in the spring. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Phuket fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Beirut 17°C (63°F) 
    Phuket 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Phuket and Beirut

Beirut Phuket
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in) 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 318 mm (12.5 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 279 mm (11 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 262 mm (10.3 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 399 mm (15.7 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 304 mm (12 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)