Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Kanchanaburi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo. 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 Yangshuo?
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.
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKanchanaburi $42Yangshuo $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $42, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $72. 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 Yangshuo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $19Yangshuo $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $38Yangshuo $50
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Yangshuo
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi or Yangshuo? 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 $12Yangshuo $42
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: $171
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $163
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Kanchanaburi: $116
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $103
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $98
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Rock Climbing with Hotel Transfer (3 hours): $69
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Yangshuo?
Prices for flights to both Yangshuo 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 $12Yangshuo $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Yangshuo Cooking Class with Yangshuo Town Shopping: $138
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kanchanaburi $9.10Yangshuo $23
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:
- Amazing Boat Trip River Kwai and Erawan Falls Full Day Tour: $116
- Bangkok Mystical Waterfall & River Kwai Tour: $241
- Bangkok and Beyond - A 6 Day Exciting Group Tour: $1,000
- Bangkok: 2-Day River Kwai & Erawan National Park Tour: $281
- Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour: $95
- Bangkok: Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfall Private Tour: $149
- Cycling to visit Local Experience and Learn Culture with Local expert: $28
- Discovery Bike Tour: $16
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $30
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Erawan Waterfalls & Phra That Cave Tour : from Bangkok: $111
- Full Day Kanchanaburi River Kwai Experience: $84
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $149
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Longji Rice Terraces hiking tour from Guilin/Yangshuo hotel: $188
- 1-Day Tour: Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat and Ruyi Peak Cable Car: $149
- 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
- Full-Day Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
- Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Private Tour: $136
- Guilin Highlight Sightseeing Private Day City Tour: $139
- Guilin Tea plantation and Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Guilin Yangshuo Day tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Bullet Train: $212
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKanchanaburi $8.03Yangshuo $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Yangshuo, we can see that Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi and Yangshuo, 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 Kanchanaburi or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round.
Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Yangshuo in the summer. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Yangshuo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Yangshuo. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Kanchanaburi is a little warmer than Yangshuo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kanchanaburi in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Kanchanaburi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in October than Yangshuo. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 93 mm (3.7 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Yangshuo in the Winter?
Both Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 25°C (77°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Yangshuo in the Spring?
Both Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo in the spring. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in April than Yangshuo. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Kanchanaburi
| Kanchanaburi | Yangshuo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.