Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan?
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $103Koh Pha Ngan $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $103, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $45. 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 Dalian and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $54Koh Pha Ngan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $108Koh Pha Ngan $46
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Koh Pha Ngan $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$8.18
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Ferry Ride$14
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Gas for Scooter$3.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan and Dalian 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 dayDalian $27Koh Pha Ngan $10
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.09
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$11
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.09
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Ice Cream$0.55
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Juice$1.64
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3 Spring Rolls$0.82
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2 Pancakes$1.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.78Koh Pha Ngan $17
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.31Koh Pha Ngan $9.89
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$7.09
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian than you might in Koh Pha Ngan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan?
Dalian has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Pha Ngan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
In the summer, Dalian is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dalian in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Dalian receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dalian usually gets more rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDalian 24°C (75°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Dalian is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 15°C (58°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan is October and November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDalian 15°C (58°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Dalian during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
Dalian can get quite cold in the winter. Dalian is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDalian -4°C (25°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Dalian is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dalian in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDalian 11°C (51°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Dalian
| Dalian | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.