Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Khao Lak?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Khao Lak or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie?
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.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKhao Lak $112Zhangjiajie $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $112, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $63. 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 Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKhao Lak $51Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKhao Lak $102Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak or Zhangjiajie? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Khao Lak $52Zhangjiajie $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
- Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $119
- Krabi Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khaolak: $111
- From Carnival Magic Phuket Ticket with Transfer: $106
- Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $100
- Khao Lak To Khao Sok Private Minivan & Car Transfer: $56
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $55
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $44
- 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $42
- Khao Lak/Bang Sak: 1-Way Private Transfer to Phuket Airport: $41
- Phuket: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Khao Lak by Car: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Zhangjiajie Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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
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Food Meals for one dayKhao Lak $31Zhangjiajie $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Market Tour by Pakinnaka School: $56
- Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $57
- Authentic Thai cooking class with market tour.: $59
- Thai Cooking Class in a Garden with Transfer: $59
- Thai Cooking Class in Khaolak: $61
- 3 hours Khao Lak Cooking Class and Market Visit: $68
- Half-Day Cooking Class and Ingredient Hunt: $68
- 3-Hour Khaolak Cooking Class with Food Market Visit: $69
- Khao Sok Local Life Adventure & Traditional Cooking Class: $89
- Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class and Waterfall Tour: $97
- ATV Quad Bike Excursion to Stunning Waterfalls with Dinner: $97
- Thai Food Cooking Class & ATV Adventure Tour: $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Full-Day Private Discovery Tour to Tianmen Mountain National Park with Dinner: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Khao Lak $19Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours-Early Bird Guide Tour in Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary: $68
- 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $53
- 30-Minutes ATV Quads and Waterfall Experience in Khaolak : $55
- 4 hours Tour with Khaolak ATV Quad Bike and Rescued Elephant: $97
- Adventure Off Road Safari to Khao Lak National Park: $140
- Adventure Off Road Safari to Khao Lak National Park: $140
- Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $37
- Cheow Lan Lake: 2-Day Guided Tour with Meals and Activities: $176
- Day Tour with Sea Canoeing at Hong Island from Khao Lak: $81
- Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Adventure From Khao Lak: $112
- Eco Grand Canyon with Hot Springs and Elephant Retreat Tour: $97
- From Khao Lak Or Khok Kloi : Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip with Lunch: $103
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
- Tianmen Mountain day tour: $96
- Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $115
- Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $122
- 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
- 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge and Baofeng Lake Private Day Tour: $147
- Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountain Glass Bridge day tour: $150
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
- Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Private All-inclusive Day Tour: $155
- Glass Bridge,Zhangjiajie park Avatar Mountain day tour: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKhao Lak $13Zhangjiajie $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie.
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 Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Khao Lak or Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Khao Lak and Zhangjiajie, 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 Khao Lak or Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Lak experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Khao Lak or Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
Both Zhangjiajie and Khao Lak during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the summer temperatures in Khao Lak in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 29°C (85°F).
Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKhao Lak 28°C (82°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Zhangjiajie. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round.
In October, Khao Lak is generally a little warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 27°C (81°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKhao Lak 27°C (81°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Khao Lak as well as Zhangjiajie. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Khao Lak is much warmer than Zhangjiajie in the winter. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Khao Lak usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Zhangjiajie. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKhao Lak 27°C (80°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
Both Zhangjiajie and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year.
In the spring, Khao Lak is much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the spring temperatures in Khao Lak in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. It's quite rainy in Khao Lak. In April, Khao Lak usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zhangjiajie. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Khao Lak is November to April. The rainy season in Khao Lak is May to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKhao Lak 29°C (83°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Khao Lak
| Khao Lak | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.