Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Koh Tao? 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 Tao?
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 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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $106Koh Tao $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $106, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $42. 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 Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $56Koh Tao $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $112Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Dalian 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.Dalian $42Koh Tao $9.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
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$5.87
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $28Koh Tao $10
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)$6.18
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Breakfast$4.63
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.71
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
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Pancake$2.16
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American Breakfast (for Two)$8.65
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.91Koh Tao $30
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: $250
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)$7.72
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Snorkel Rental$3.09
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.09
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- Coco Tip Adventures: $54
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $25
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $26
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $33
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.48Koh Tao $8.09
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$2.01
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Koh Tao, we can see that Dalian 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 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 Tao.
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 Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Koh Tao?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 1470 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Dalian 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 Dalian or Koh Tao?
Dalian 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 Dalian or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Dalian is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Dalian. In July, Dalian usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDalian 24°C (75°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Dalian during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
Dalian is much colder than Koh Tao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dalian usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDalian 15°C (58°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Dalian can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Dalian is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dalian in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 22°C (72°F).
In January, Dalian usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDalian -4°C (25°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
In April, Dalian is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 11°C (51°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Dalian usually gets less rain in April than Koh Tao. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDalian 11°C (51°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Dalian
| Dalian | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.