Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Dali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dali and Koh Phi Phi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $48, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $72. 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 Dali and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Dali 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.
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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi and Dali 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.
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi than you might in Dali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dali Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Dali has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Dali 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.