A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kanchanaburi vs. Wuyuan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Wuyuan?

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 Wuyuan. 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 Wuyuan?

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.

Wuyuan

Wuyuan, China is a small city in the Jiangxi Province in the south central area of the country. The city acts as a transport hub for the province, with many main bus routes running through it. Wuyuan also acts as the main thoroughfare when traveling to local remote villages in the area. It is best to know some Mandarin as this region does not see many non-Mandarin speaking tourists, which also means you should expect some very friendly attention!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.


Which place is cheaper, Wuyuan or Kanchanaburi?

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 Kanchanaburi is $58, while the average daily cost in Wuyuan is $73. 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 Wuyuan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kanchanaburi $22
    Wuyuan $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kanchanaburi $44
    Wuyuan $52
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Wuyuan

Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi or Wuyuan? 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 Kanchanaburi


Hotels in Wuyuan


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kanchanaburi $14
    Wuyuan $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi

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

  • Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $187
  • Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $119
  • Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Wuyuan?

Prices for flights to both Wuyuan 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kanchanaburi $24
    Wuyuan $35
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi

For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casual Lunch
    $4.71

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: $39

Typical Food Prices in Wuyuan

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wuyuan:


  • Gummy Candy
    $0.28
  • Cookies
    $0.70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kanchanaburi $10
    Wuyuan $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Entry Park TreeHouse
    $6.28

Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi

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

  • Best Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi River: $27
  • Discovery Bike Tour: $18
  • E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $35
  • Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
  • Guided Walking Tour in History & Legends: $174
  • Half Day Kanchanaburi Bike Tour with History and Local Life: $53
  • Kanchanaburi Erawan Waterfall and Train Along Death Railway Tour: $178
  • Kanchanaburi Tour Erawan Waterfall Temples and Giant Rain Tree: $112
  • Kanchanaburi Tour Hellfire Pass History tour: $108
  • Kanchanaburi Tour: Erawan Waterfall and Death Railway: $112
  • Kanchanaburi Tree Top Adventure Park Tours: $45
  • Private Tour: Kanchanaburi Local Thai Life and City Discovery: $191

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kanchanaburi $9.24
    Wuyuan $14


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



When is the best time to visit Kanchanaburi or Wuyuan?

Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Wuyuan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round.

Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Wuyuan in the summer. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Wuyuan fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).

Wuyuan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Wuyuan. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kanchanaburi 29°C (84°F) 
    Wuyuan 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Wuyuan in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Kanchanaburi is a little warmer than Wuyuan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kanchanaburi in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Wuyuan averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Kanchanaburi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in October than Wuyuan. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kanchanaburi 28°C (82°F) 
    Wuyuan 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Wuyuan in the Winter?

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

In January, Kanchanaburi is generally much warmer than Wuyuan. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 25°C (77°F), and Wuyuan fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Wuyuan. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kanchanaburi 25°C (77°F) 
    Wuyuan 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Wuyuan in the Spring?

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

It's very hot in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Wuyuan in the spring. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Wuyuan fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Wuyuan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in April than Wuyuan. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Wuyuan receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kanchanaburi 32°C (89°F) 
    Wuyuan 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Wuyuan and Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi Wuyuan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 123 mm (4.9 in)
Mar 30°C (87°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Apr 32°C (89°F) 77 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
May 30°C (87°F) 152 mm (6 in) 23°C (73°F) 257 mm (10.1 in)
Jun 29°C (85°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 270 mm (10.6 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 30°C (85°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 30°C (85°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 218 mm (8.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)