Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Guangzhou or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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 Guangzhou and Koh Tao can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Koh Tao?
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuangzhou $89Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $89, 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 Guangzhou and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $57Koh Tao $14
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $114Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guangzhou $14Koh Tao $8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $170
- Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $120
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Private Guided Guangzhou Pearl River Cruise Tour With Hotel Transfer: $109
- Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
- Private Transfer between Guangzhou and Shenzhen City Area: $104
- Private Arrival Transfer in English-speaking: Airport to Hotel: $99
- Guangzhou Night Pearl River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer: $96
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $88
- Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou central to Guangzhou Airport (CAN): $86
- Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to central Guangzhou: $86
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
-
Motorbike Rental$5.18
-
Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Guangzhou 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
-
Food Meals for one dayGuangzhou $19Koh Tao $9.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
- Guangzhou Night View Cruise Tour with Dinner: $90
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Yumcha and Local Food Market Explore: $180
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
-
Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
-
Breakfast$4.09
-
Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
-
Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
-
Pancake$1.91
-
American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
-
Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guangzhou $18Koh Tao $26
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
- Private Tour of Foshan: The Ancestral Temple and Other Options from Guangzhou : $167
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 4 Hours Half Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private Tour: $180
- 4-Hour Baiyun Mountain Yuntai Garden Private Guangzhou City Tour: $180
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- AAAAA Top National Natural Preserve Dinghu Mountain Private Tour: $300
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Lotus Hill and Shawan Old Town from Guangzhou: $229
- Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201
- Best of Guangzhou City Sightseeing: $110
- Big Buddha Mountain Martial Art Culture Countryside Private Tour: $220
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
-
Snorkel Rental$2.73
-
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuangzhou $14Koh 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:
-
Beer$1.77
-
Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guangzhou and Koh Tao, we can see that Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Koh Tao?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 2280 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou or Koh Tao?
Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao and Guangzhou during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
In the summer, Guangzhou is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guangzhou in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Guangzhou. In the summer, Guangzhou often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Guangzhou gets 220 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 Guangzhou. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Koh Tao. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuangzhou 29°C (84°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Guangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 25°C (76°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Guangzhou usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during autumn. Guangzhou gets 192 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, Guangzhou usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 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.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuangzhou 25°C (76°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Guangzhou is much colder than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 14°C (58°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, Guangzhou often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Guangzhou gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.
Guangzhou usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 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.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuangzhou 14°C (58°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao and Guangzhou 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, Guangzhou is cooler than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guangzhou in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. Guangzhou usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during spring. Guangzhou gets 78 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 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.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuangzhou 22°C (72°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Guangzhou
| Guangzhou | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.