Which place is cheaper, Koh Chang or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Darjiling or Koh Chang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Darjiling or Koh Chang? 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: Darjiling or Koh Chang?
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
Koh Chang
Most people pick Thailand for their destination because they're anxious to collapse on a breathtaking beach. If that is you, Ko Chang does not disappoint. As one the country's most beautiful islands, Ko Chang is full of white beaches and incredible wildlife. Beware, though, you're not the only one with Ko Chang in mind. During the high season, the island can become quite crowded with tourists.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDarjiling $35Koh Chang $48
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Koh Chang is $48. 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 Darjiling and Koh Chang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarjiling $13Koh Chang $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarjiling $26Koh Chang $48
Compare Hotels in Darjiling and Koh Chang
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling or Koh Chang? 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: Darjiling Hotel Prices and Koh Chang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darjiling $7.48Koh Chang $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $197
- Private Transfers Darjeeling - Gangtok Drop: $98
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang
Also for Koh Chang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Trat to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $216
- Private Transfer from Trat to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $209
- Private Transfer from Koh Chang to Bangkok Airport or Don Muang Airport: $199
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Trat/ Koh Chang: $116
- Departure Private Airport Transfer : Koh Chang to Bangkok Airport: $116
- Trat Airport: Shared Transfers to/from Koh Chang with Ferry: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Darjiling or Koh Chang?
Prices for flights to both Koh Chang and Darjiling 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 dayDarjiling $14Koh Chang $17
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darjiling $12Koh Chang $5.46
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- 5-Day Private Tour of Gangtok and Darjeeling: $246
- A Full Day Tour Of Darjeeling: $232
- Best of Darjeeling (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
- Best of Gangtok (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $84
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
- Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $98
- Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $31
- Day Trip to Buddha Park (Guided Private Sightseeing Tour from Gangtok): $147
- Day Trip to Darjeeling (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $148
- Day Trip to Gangtok (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $147
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $148
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $147
Tours and Activities in Koh Chang
For Koh Chang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Adventure in Diving in Koh Chang: $281
- Bubblemaker, experience dive for kids from 8 to 10 years old (Koh Chang): $83
- Full-Day Koh Chang Tour with Lunch : $54
- PADI Discover Scuba Dive Experience: $152
- Private Kayak Experience in Bang Bao Bay with Lunch: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarjiling $8.77Koh Chang $4.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darjiling and Koh Chang, we can see that Koh Chang is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling 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 Chang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Chang than you might in Darjiling.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darjiling Expensive? and Is Koh Chang Expensive?.
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.