A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Chang vs. Xiamen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Chang or Xiamen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Xiamen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Koh Chang or Xiamen?

Koh Chang

Most people pick Thailand for their destination because they're anxious to collapse on a breathtaking beach. If that is you, Ko Chang does not disappoint. As one the country's most beautiful islands, Ko Chang is full of white beaches and incredible wildlife. Beware, though, you're not the only one with Ko Chang in mind. During the high season, the island can become quite crowded with tourists.

Xiamen

Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Xiamen or Koh Chang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Chang is $48, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $64. 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 Koh Chang and Xiamen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Chang $24
    Xiamen $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Chang $48
    Xiamen $60
Compare Hotels in Koh Chang and Xiamen

Looking for a hotel in Koh Chang or Xiamen? 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 Koh Chang


Hotels in Xiamen


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: Koh Chang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Chang $13
    Xiamen $5.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang

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

  • Trat Airport: Shared Transfers to/from Koh Chang with Ferry: $26
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $209
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $216
  • Private Transfer from Koh Chang to Bangkok Airport or Don Muang Airport: $199
  • Departure Private Airport Transfer : Koh Chang to Bangkok Airport: $116
  • Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Trat/ Koh Chang: $116

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

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

  • Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
  • Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
  • Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Village: $115
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
  • Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
  • Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Chang or Xiamen?

Prices for flights to both Xiamen and Koh Chang 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
    Koh Chang $17
    Xiamen $26

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Chang $5.46
    Xiamen $16

Tours and Activities in Koh Chang

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

  • 1-Day Adventure in Diving in Koh Chang: $281
  • Bubblemaker, experience dive for kids from 8 to 10 years old (Koh Chang): $83
  • Full-Day Koh Chang Tour with Lunch : $54
  • PADI Discover Scuba Dive Experience: $152
  • Private Kayak Experience in Bang Bao Bay with Lunch: $22

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

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

  • Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
  • Xiamen Private One Day Tailor Made Tour with Gulangyu and City Highlights : $176
  • 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
  • Dongshan Island Highlights Full-Day Private Tour: $232
  • Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
  • Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Chang $4.68
    Xiamen $17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Chang and Xiamen, we can see that Xiamen is more expensive. And not only is Koh Chang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Chang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Chang 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 Xiamen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xiamen than you might in Koh Chang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Chang Expensive? and Is Xiamen Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Koh Chang or Xiamen?

Xiamen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Chang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Xiamen in the Summer?

Both Xiamen and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year.

In July, Koh Chang is generally around the same temperature as Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 28°C (82°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Chang 28°C (82°F) 
    Xiamen 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Koh Chang or Xiamen in the Autumn?

Both Xiamen and Koh Chang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Koh Chang is around the same temperature as Xiamen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Xiamen fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in October than Xiamen. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Koh Chang. June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Chang 27°C (81°F) 
    Xiamen 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Koh Chang or Xiamen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round.

In the winter, Koh Chang is much warmer than Xiamen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Chang in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Xiamen averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Xiamen. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Chang 26°C (79°F) 
    Xiamen 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Koh Chang or Xiamen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Xiamen. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Koh Chang is generally a little warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 29°C (84°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).

It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Chang usually gets less rain in April than Xiamen. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Chang 29°C (84°F) 
    Xiamen 20°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Xiamen and Koh Chang

Koh Chang Xiamen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 20°C (69°F) 147 mm (5.8 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 356 mm (14 in) 24°C (76°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 513 mm (20.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 440 mm (17.3 in) 30°C (86°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 514 mm (20.2 in) 30°C (85°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 476 mm (18.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 280 mm (11 in) 25°C (77°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 37 mm (1.4 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 25 mm (1 in)