Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Cheju (Jeju)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao?
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 Cheju (Jeju) and Koh Tao. 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: Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao?
Cheju (Jeju)
Cheju is an island located just off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait. It is known for its volcanic landscape full of craters and cave-like lava tubes, which many visitors venture to hike and explore. With the main industry invested in tourism, it is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners alike, and remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in South Korea, The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCheju (Jeju) $72Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Cheju (Jeju) is $72, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Cheju (Jeju) and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCheju (Jeju) $46Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCheju (Jeju) $92Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Cheju (Jeju) and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao? 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: Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cheju (Jeju) $10Koh Tao $8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cheju (Jeju)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cheju (Jeju):
- Private Sightseeing Tour to Jeju Island with Transfer Included: $190
- jeju island Private Taxi Hallasan Hiking Trail Transfer - One way: $57
- Private Taxi Transfer from Jeju City Downtown to Jeju Airport: $50
- Private Transfer From Jeju Airport to in Seogwipo Jeju Island : $30
- Private Transfer From Seogwipo to Jeju Airport in jeju island: $25
- Jeju Airport Transfer: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Cheju (Jeju) 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 dayCheju (Jeju) $17Koh Tao $9.21
Typical Food Prices in Cheju (Jeju)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cheju (Jeju):
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Burger$4.49
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Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant)$7.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cheju (Jeju)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cheju (Jeju).
- Cooking Korean Cuisine and Dinner at Jeju Seaside Sunset Terrace: $108
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cheju (Jeju) $5.49Koh Tao $26
Tours and Activities in Cheju (Jeju)
Here are a few actual costs in Cheju (Jeju) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private 2days Jumbo Taxi Experienced Driver Tour in jeju island : $80
- West Jeju Full Day Tour Package By Taxi: $184
- 2 Day Private pictures of Nature Tour in jeju island: $150
- 2 Days Private Taxi Tour - West and South of Jeju Island: $300
- 2-Days JUMBO/MINI-VAN Tour in Jeju Island : $110
- 3days Private Free Schedule Tour a lot of Experience Driver : $170
- 9 hours tour with a taxi driver in jeju island: $70
- Cherry Blossom East Day Tour in Jeju: $112
- Customized private tour in Jeju island: $80
- East of Jeju island Tour in Sky Water Circus -Package Tour: $140
- East of jeju private Jumbo taxi tour with Mr.Ko (Suhong): $80
- Full Day Essential Jeju Island Private tour for West Course: $270
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $277
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCheju (Jeju) $7.12Koh Tao $7.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cheju (Jeju) and Koh Tao, we can see that Cheju (Jeju) is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Cheju (Jeju) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cheju (Jeju) than you might in Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cheju (Jeju) Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao?
Cheju (Jeju) has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Cheju (Jeju) and Koh Tao, 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 Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao?
Cheju (Jeju) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao and Cheju (Jeju) during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
In the summer, Cheju (Jeju) is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cheju (Jeju) in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Cheju (Jeju). In the summer, Cheju (Jeju) often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Cheju (Jeju) gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun.
Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cheju (Jeju). Cheju (Jeju) usually gets more rain in July than Koh Tao. Cheju (Jeju) gets 230 mm (9.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCheju (Jeju) 26°C (79°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cheju (Jeju) and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Cheju (Jeju) is generally cooler than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Cheju (Jeju) average around 18°C (64°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Cheju (Jeju) usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao during autumn. Cheju (Jeju) gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Cheju (Jeju) usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Cheju (Jeju) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCheju (Jeju) 18°C (64°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cheju (Jeju) as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Cheju (Jeju) is much colder than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Cheju (Jeju) averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In the winter, Cheju (Jeju) often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Cheju (Jeju) gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.
Cheju (Jeju) usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Cheju (Jeju) gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCheju (Jeju) 5°C (41°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao and Cheju (Jeju) are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Cheju (Jeju) is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cheju (Jeju) in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. Cheju (Jeju) usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during spring. Cheju (Jeju) gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cheju (Jeju) usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Cheju (Jeju) gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCheju (Jeju) 13°C (56°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Cheju (Jeju)
| Cheju (Jeju) | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 241 mm (9.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 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.