Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Khao Lak?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Khao Lak or Lijiang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Khao Lak and Lijiang 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: Khao Lak or Lijiang?
Khao Lak
Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.
Lijiang
Lijiang is a city in Southwestern China with a history of rule under the Mu family during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It played a key role along the Ancient Southern Silk Road, which started from Burma, crossed Lijiang, Shangri-La County, Tibet, journeyed through Iran, the Fertile Crescent, and ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea. The area was once a center for trade, politics, culture, and education, which is still evident in the rich culture seen today. Lijiang has also been the home of centuries to the Naxi people who still inhabit the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
-
Khao Lak Prices
Thailand PricesLijiang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKhao Lak $149Lijiang $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $149, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $58. 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 Khao Lak and Lijiang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKhao Lak $56Lijiang $17
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKhao Lak $112Lijiang $34
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Lijiang
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak or Lijiang? 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: Khao Lak Hotel Prices and Lijiang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Khao Lak $58Lijiang $6.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
- Transfer from Khao Lak Hotel to Phuket Airport: $89
- Transfer Service from Khao Lak Hotel to Krabi / Aonang: $119
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $56
- Private Transfer Between Ko Lanta and Khao Lak: $236
- Private Phuket Airport Transfer to or from Khao Lak: $37
- Private Minivan Transfer from Khao Lak hotels to Phuket Airport: $66
- Phuket: Zip Line & ATV Adventure with Hotel Transfer Option: $76
- Phuket Airport(HKT)&Hotel Transfers:Private—Phuket/Khao Lak/Krabi: $18
- Krabi Airport to Private Transfer with Meet & Greet: $125
- Khao Lak any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $194
- Carnival Magic Phuket Show Ticket with Transfer from Khao Lak: $105
- 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lijiang Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
- Ethnic Costume Photoshoot with Hotel Transfers: $131
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Lijiang?
Prices for flights to both Lijiang and Khao Lak 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 dayKhao Lak $59Lijiang $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
- Khao Sok: Private Authentic Jungle Cooking Experience: $54
- Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak by Amazon Prime Series Chef: $59
- Riverside Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Market Tour: $66
- Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $69
- Hands-On Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Transfer: $70
- Half-Day Small Group Thai Cooking Class from Khao Lak: $76
- Khao Lak Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour & Your Own Menu: $87
- Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary, Rubber Tapping & Coconut Cooking: $112
- Khao Lak Bamboo Rafting and Bamboo Cooking with Waterfall Tour: $120
- Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary, Takua Pa Old Town & Food Tour: $121
- Khao Lak : Bamboo Cooking and Bamboo Rafting Tour: $121
- Khao Sok: Private Day Trekking, Jungle Dinner & Night Safari: $179
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two$4.46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Khao Lak $21Lijiang $21
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Guided Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary Observation Tour: $56
- 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $78
- ATV Adventure: Khao Lak’s Best Off-Road Experience: $93
- Bamboo & Phi Phi Islands, Maya & Pileh Bay Day Tour From Khao Lak: $115
- Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $38
- Cheow Lan Lake Tour in Khao Sok National Park from Khao Lak: $128
- Cheow Lan Lake Tour with Cave and Rafthouse from Khao Lak: $124
- Cheow Lan Lake and Diamond Cave Full Day Tour from Khao Lak: $128
- Cheow Lan Lake with Nam Rad Emerald Pool Tour from Khao Lak: $136
- Day Tour with Sea Canoeing at Hong Island from Khao Lak: $87
- From Khao Lak : Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip with Lunch: $115
- From Khao Lak or Phuket: 2-Day Cheow Lan Lake Tour: $380
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Via Ferrata with Zipline Experience in Lijiang: $42
- Biking tour&guide visit Lijiang baisha village market park: $50
- Lijiang/Baisha Ancient Town, Naxi Village, Black Dragon Pool Tour: $69
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $90
- Shangri-La Scenic Area Private Tour: $93
- Tiger Leaping Gorge Private Tour: $93
- Tiger Leaping Gorge with Lijiang Private Tour: $112
- Lijiang to Shangri-La HuXiang Road Private Scenic Tour: $116
- Lijiang：Yulong Snow Mountain Yakniuping Cableway Day Tour: $117
- Baisha, Naxi Village, Lashi Wetlands Private Tour: $120
- Lijiang to Shangri-La Scenic Drive Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge: $121
- Explore Lijiang Your Way – Private Tour: $122
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKhao Lak $15Lijiang $8.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Lijiang, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Lijiang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lijiang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lijiang 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 Khao Lak would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Lak than you might in Lijiang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Khao Lak Expensive? and Is Lijiang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Khao Lak or Lijiang?
Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 670 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Khao Lak and Lijiang, 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.
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.