Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Kanchanaburi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Hongcun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kanchanaburi and Hongcun. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kanchanaburi or Hongcun?
Kanchanaburi
If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKanchanaburi $42Hongcun $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $42, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $52. 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 Kanchanaburi and Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $19Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $38Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi or Hongcun? 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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kanchanaburi $12Hongcun $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $98
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $103
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Kanchanaburi: $116
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $163
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $171
Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun and Kanchanaburi 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 dayKanchanaburi $12Hongcun $19
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch$4.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class: $34
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.83
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kanchanaburi $9.10Hongcun $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Entry Park TreeHouse$5.46
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discovery Bike Tour: $16
- Cycling to visit Local Experience and Learn Culture with Local expert: $28
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $30
- Full Day Kanchanaburi River Kwai Experience: $84
- Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour: $95
- Private Tour: Trekking Kanchanaburi Forest to Tham Than Lod: $108
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Erawan Waterfalls & Phra That Cave Tour : from Bangkok: $111
- Amazing Boat Trip River Kwai and Erawan Falls Full Day Tour: $116
- Private Tour: Kanchanaburi Local Thai Life and City Discovery: $139
- Kanchanaburi River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Private Tour: $144
- Bangkok: Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfall Private Tour: $149
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKanchanaburi $8.03Hongcun $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Hongcun, we can see that Hongcun is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kanchanaburi Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kanchanaburi or Hongcun?
Hongcun has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kanchanaburi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Hongcun in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Hongcun. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Hongcun. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kanchanaburi in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Hongcun averages at about 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in July than Hongcun. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year. July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Hongcun in the Autumn?
Both Hongcun and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year.
In October, Kanchanaburi is generally a little warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
It's quite rainy in Kanchanaburi. In October, Kanchanaburi usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Kanchanaburi is November to May. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Hongcun in the Winter?
Both Hongcun and Kanchanaburi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Hongcun in the winter. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in January than Hongcun. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Hongcun in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round.
The heat can be very extreme in Kanchanaburi. In the spring, Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kanchanaburi in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Hongcun averages at about 17°C (62°F).
Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Kanchanaburi
| Kanchanaburi | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.