Which place is cheaper, Qingdao or Hat Yai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hat Yai or Qingdao?
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 Qingdao 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 Qingdao?
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.
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHat Yai $16Qingdao $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $16, while the average daily cost in Qingdao is $58. 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 Qingdao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHat Yai $5.11Qingdao $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHat Yai $10Qingdao $52
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Qingdao
Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai or Qingdao? 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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hat Yai $0.63Qingdao $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- private van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pabara Pier: $68
- Transfer from Hatyai Airport to Koh Lipe: $25
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai City to Pak Bara Pier: $73
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pak Bara Pier: $73
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Qingdao?
Prices for flights to both Qingdao 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
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Food Meals for one dayHat Yai $10Qingdao $20
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
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Roti Snack$0.55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hat Yai -Qingdao $20
Tours and Activities in Hat Yai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:
- One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $30
- One Way Van and Speedboat Ticket Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe: $30
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHat Yai $2.52Qingdao $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
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Beer$1.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Qingdao, we can see that Qingdao 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 Qingdao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Qingdao 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 Qingdao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Qingdao?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Qingdao, 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 Qingdao?
Qingdao 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 Qingdao in the Summer?
Both Qingdao and Hat Yai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Hat Yai is a little warmer than Qingdao in the summer. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Qingdao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Hat Yai. In the summer, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Qingdao. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Qingdao receives 183 hours of full sun.
Qingdao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in July than Qingdao. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHat Yai 29°C (83°F)Qingdao 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Qingdao in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Qingdao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round.
In the autumn, Hat Yai is much warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hat Yai in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Qingdao averages at about 17°C (62°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives less sunshine than Qingdao during autumn. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Qingdao receives 220 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Qingdao 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Qingdao in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Qingdao. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Qingdao. In January, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In the winter, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Qingdao. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Qingdao receives 185 hours of full sun.
Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in January than Qingdao. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Qingdao -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Qingdao in the Spring?
Both Qingdao and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year.
Hat Yai is much warmer than Qingdao in the spring. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 30°C (85°F) in April, and Qingdao fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Qingdao. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Qingdao during spring. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Qingdao receives 224 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Hat Yai is January to April. The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHat Yai 30°C (85°F)Qingdao 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Qingdao and Hat Yai
| Hat Yai | Qingdao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (85°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 588 mm (23.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 404 mm (15.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.