A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Benxi vs. Koh Phi Phi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Benxi or Koh Phi Phi?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Benxi and Koh Phi Phi 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: Benxi or Koh Phi Phi?

Benxi

Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.

Koh Phi Phi

The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Benxi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Benxi is $97, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $81. 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 Benxi and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Benxi $48
    Koh Phi Phi $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Benxi $96
    Koh Phi Phi $92
Compare Hotels in Benxi and Koh Phi Phi

Looking for a hotel in Benxi or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Benxi


Hotels in Koh Phi Phi


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: Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Benxi $32
    Koh Phi Phi $7.80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi

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


  • Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)
    $17
  • Longboat Taxi
    $3.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi

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

  • Ferry Transfer from Krabi Klong Jilad Pier to Phi Phi Tonsai: $14
  • Phi Phi to Phuket Comfortable Transfer by Speedboat : $25
  • Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $28
  • Koh Phi Phi to Krabi VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $40
  • One-Way Departure Transfer from Phi Phi Island (Speedboat) to Phuket Airport : $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Benxi or Koh Phi Phi?

Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi and Benxi 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
    Benxi $31
    Koh Phi Phi $13

Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:


  • Crepe
    $1.85
  • Sit Down Lunch
    $11
  • Casual Lunch
    $6.49
  • Coconut Donut
    $0.31
  • Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)
    $12
  • Sit Down Dinner
    $15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Benxi $7.50
    Koh Phi Phi $51

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi

For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Kayak Rental
    $9.27

Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.

  • Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $14
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $18
  • Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $18
  • Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $20
  • Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $22
  • Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $24
  • Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $29
  • Phuket Half Day Instagram Guided Group Tour: $36
  • Phuket Best City & Landmark Tours: $41
  • Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $63
  • Half Day & Sunset Phi Phi Island Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $63
  • Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Benxi $7.90
    Koh Phi Phi $6.41

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi

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


  • Mojito Bucket
    $15
  • Banana Daiquiri
    $6.18


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

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


Which is Bigger, Benxi or Koh Phi Phi?

Benxi has a larger population, and is about 990 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Benxi and Koh Phi Phi, 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 Benxi or Koh Phi Phi?

Benxi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Phi Phi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Benxi or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Benxi as well as Koh Phi Phi. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

Benxi is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi in the summer. The daily temperature in Benxi averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Benxi this time of the year. In the summer, Benxi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi. Benxi gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Benxi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Benxi usually gets less rain in July than Koh Phi Phi. Benxi gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Benxi 25°C (78°F) 
    Koh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Benxi or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Benxi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Benxi is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Benxi in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Benxi. Benxi usually receives more sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during autumn. Benxi gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In October, Benxi usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Benxi gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Phi Phi is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Benxi 11°C (52°F) 
    Koh Phi Phi 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Benxi or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Benxi during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

Benxi can be very cold during winter. In January, Benxi is generally much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Benxi average around -10°C (14°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Benxi often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Benxi gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun.

Benxi usually gets less rain in January than Koh Phi Phi. Benxi gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Benxi -10°C (14°F) 
    Koh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Benxi or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Benxi and Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Benxi is much colder than Koh Phi Phi in the spring. The daily temperature in Benxi averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. In Benxi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Benxi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi during spring. Benxi gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Benxi usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Benxi gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Benxi 11°C (51°F) 
    Koh Phi Phi 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Benxi

Benxi Koh Phi Phi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -10°C (14°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 2°C (35°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 29°C (84°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Apr 11°C (51°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 318 mm (12.5 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 279 mm (11 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 262 mm (10.3 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 399 mm (15.7 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 51 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 304 mm (12 in)
Nov 2°C (35°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)