A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Guilin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hat Yai or Guilin?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Guilin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Hat Yai or Guilin?

Hat Yai

The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.

Guilin

Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Hat Yai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $36, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $84. 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 Hat Yai and Guilin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hat Yai $16
    Guilin $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hat Yai $32
    Guilin $70
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Guilin

Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai or Guilin? 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.

Hotels in Hat Yai


Hotels in Guilin


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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hat Yai $0.72
    Guilin $5.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:

  • Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $2.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $17
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
  • Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
  • Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $18
  • [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
  • Private Airport Transfer:Guilin Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: $35
  • Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
  • Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
  • Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
  • Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Guilin?

Prices for flights to both Guilin and Hat Yai 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 day
    Hat Yai $18
    Guilin $39
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:


  • Roti Snack
    $0.63

Typical Food Prices in Guilin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:


  • Fresh Coconut Drink
    $1.40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.

  • Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
  • Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
  • Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hat Yai -
    Guilin $28

Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin

Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Caves
    $17

Tours and Activities in Guilin

Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City Tour with Elephant Hill & Ming Tea Tasting: $46
  • Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
  • Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide(beginner friendly): $51
  • Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
  • 1-Day tour of Guilin-LiRiver cruise-Yangshuo Xianggong hill : $55
  • GUILIN:kayaking adventure with local guide: $60
  • Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $60
  • Guilin English tour guide service : $62
  • Private Day Tour: Longji Terraces Cultural Villages and Hike : $69
  • Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
  • Private day tour :Guilin-LiRiver bamboo boat-Yangshuo Highlights : $70
  • 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hat Yai $2.64
    Guilin $5.81
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:


  • Beer
    $1.88


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Guilin, we can see that Guilin is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Guilin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guilin than you might in Hat Yai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Guilin?

Guilin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Guilin, 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 Hat Yai or Guilin?

Guilin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hat Yai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Guilin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round.

In the summer, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hat Yai in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).

Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Guilin. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hat Yai 29°C (83°F) 
    Guilin 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Guilin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Guilin. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Hat Yai is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Guilin. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. May to December in Hat Yai is the rainy season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hat Yai 28°C (82°F) 
    Guilin 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Guilin in the Winter?

Both Guilin and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In January, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Guilin. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Hat Yai is January to April.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hat Yai 28°C (82°F) 
    Guilin 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Guilin in the Spring?

Both Guilin and Hat Yai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Hat Yai is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hat Yai in April average around 30°C (85°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Hat Yai. May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hat Yai 30°C (85°F) 
    Guilin 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Guilin and Hat Yai

Hat Yai Guilin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 26 mm (1 in) 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Apr 30°C (85°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 101 mm (4 in) 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 284 mm (11.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 588 mm (23.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 404 mm (15.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)