Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Koh Tao 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: Hongcun or Koh Tao?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Hongcun Prices
China PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $67Koh Tao $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $67, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Hongcun and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Koh Tao $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hongcun $12Koh Tao $9.98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.97
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Hongcun 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 dayHongcun $33Koh Tao $18
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.91
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.10
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.28
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Breakfast$4.71
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.77
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
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Pancake$2.20
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American Breakfast (for Two)$8.79
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Koh Tao $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.85
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Snorkel Rental$3.14
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.14
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: $24
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
- Snorkelling Trip 5 Island Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nang yuan: $27
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $27
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Koh Tao $8.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$2.04
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Bottle of Wine$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Koh Tao, we can see that Hongcun 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 Hongcun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hongcun 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 Hongcun Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Koh Tao?
Hongcun 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 Hongcun or Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
In July, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Koh Tao. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHongcun 29°C (85°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Hongcun is cooler than Koh Tao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In October, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Koh Tao is October and November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHongcun 19°C (65°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao and Hongcun during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
It's quite cold in Hongcun in the winter. In the winter, Hongcun is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 22°C (72°F).
Hongcun usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHongcun 4°C (40°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Hongcun is generally cooler than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHongcun 17°C (62°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.