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

Should you visit Hat Yai or Shenzhen?

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 Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen?

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.

Shenzhen

Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions.  It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen is $140. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hat Yai $16
    Shenzhen $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hat Yai $32
    Shenzhen $182
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Shenzhen

Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen


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
    Shenzhen $15

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
  • shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
  • [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
  • A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
  • Private Transfer in Shenzhen with English Service: $35
  • A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland: $36
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer and Ongoing Travel Assistance: $39
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer from Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer - Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Port: $47
  • Private Transfer - Kai Tak Cruise Port to Hong Kong Airport (HKG): $47
  • Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Shenzhen?

Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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
    Shenzhen $35
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai

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


  • Roti Snack
    $0.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $53
  • Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
  • Explore Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour: $103
  • Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Eats on a Tin Hau Food Tour: $109
  • Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $116
  • Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
  • Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
  • The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
  • Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $177
  • Asian Favorites Cooking Class in Hong Kong (4-Course Meal): $184
  • Hong Kong Style Noodles Cooking Class (Includes 4-Course Meal): $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hat Yai -
    Shenzhen $17

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Day in the life of a Hong Konger: Kowloon Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Between Two Systems: Hong Kong's Living History Tip Based Tour: $2.64
  • Hong kong City Tour w/ Entry Fees & Lunch (2024) | 150+ booked: $2.64
  • Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $5.45
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $10
  • Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $13
  • Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Entry Ticket: $13
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
  • Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $15
  • The Victoria Peak Tram Ticket | Hong Kong: $15
  • Hong Kong Palace Museum Ticket: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hat Yai $2.64
    Shenzhen $19
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

Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:

  • Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $46


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Shenzhen?

Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Shenzhen, 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 Shenzhen?

Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen in the Summer?

Both Shenzhen 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 around the same temperature as Shenzhen in the summer. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).

In Shenzhen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hat Yai. In the summer, Hat Yai often gets less sunshine than Shenzhen. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 231 hours of full sun.

Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hat Yai 29°C (83°F) 
    Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Shenzhen in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hat Yai in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Hat Yai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shenzhen during autumn. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 190 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Shenzhen. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hat Yai 28°C (82°F) 
    Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Shenzhen in the Winter?

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

In January, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 16°C (60°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 Shenzhen. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 140 hours of full sun.

Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in January than Shenzhen. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hat Yai 28°C (82°F) 
    Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Shenzhen in the Spring?

Both Shenzhen 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 a little warmer than Shenzhen in the spring. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 30°C (85°F) in April, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Shenzhen during spring. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 95 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. In April, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hat Yai 30°C (85°F) 
    Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Hat Yai

Hat Yai Shenzhen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 26 mm (1 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 30°C (85°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 325 mm (12.8 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 29°C (83°F) 382 mm (15 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 101 mm (4 in) 30°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 29°C (85°F) 393 mm (15.5 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 300 mm (11.8 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 284 mm (11.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 588 mm (23.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 404 mm (15.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)