Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Koh Lanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Lanta or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Guilin 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: Koh Lanta or Guilin?
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $48Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $48, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Lanta and Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $24Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $48Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta or Guilin? 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: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $5.66Guilin $5.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
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Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lanta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lanta:
- Koh Lanta :Krabi Airport Private Transfer:From Airport or Hotel: $111
- Koh lanta to phuket any hotel Private transfer: $171
- One-Way Transfer from Koh Lanta to Krabi Town or Airport by Minivan: $11
- Pravate Transfer Lanta Island to Krabi Airport, Krabi Town, Ao nang: $74
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dongguan Transfer: $71
- Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $57
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $57
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin and Koh Lanta 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 dayKoh Lanta $11Guilin $22
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
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Casual Breakfast$4.36
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Casual Lunch$7.36
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Casual Dinner$12
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Lanta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Koh Lanta.
- Cooking Experience at Lanta Thai Cookery School From Koh Lanta: $48
- Sukho Cuisine Thai Cooking School From Koh Lanta: $52
- Cooking Class and Market Tour at Lanta Thai Cookery School on Koh Lanta: $53
- Cooking Class & Market Tour with Thai Master Chef at Sukho Cuisine, Lanta: $62
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $31Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Emerald Cave Tour$19
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$9.55
Tours and Activities in Koh Lanta
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lanta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day 2 Caves Ko Skull Tour Ko Lanta and Kayaking Ko Talabeng: $25
- Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour: $26
- Lanta 4 Islands tour (Longtail boat): $26
- 4 Island Tour to Emerald Cave by Longtail Boat from Koh Lanta: $28
- Half Day Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $29
- Tung Yee Peng Mangrove Forest Tour By Longtail Boat From Koh Lanta: $30
- Lanta Mangrove Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking at Koh Talabeng: $30
- Koh Ngai, Koh Muk + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour by Classic Longtail Boat: $32
- Sea Cave and Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $36
- Lanta Old Town and Mangrove Forest Sightseeing Tour: $40
- Snorkel Tour to Phi Phi Islands by Speed Boat from Koh Lanta: $42
- Koh Phi Phi Day Tour by Opal Travel Speedboat: $42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
- Private Bike Tour: Yangshuo Countryside: $72
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $72
- Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
- One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
- Half/Full day Yangshuo Cuiping hill Sunset Private Tour: $73
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Mountain Sunrise Private Tour: $77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $3.79Guilin $5.72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Guilin, we can see that Guilin is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Guilin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guilin than you might in Koh Lanta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Guilin?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Guilin, 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 Koh Lanta or Guilin?
Guilin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Lanta experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Guilin in the Summer?
Both Guilin and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year.
In July, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Guilin. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Guilin. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Koh Lanta is June to September.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Guilin in the Autumn?
Both Guilin and Koh Lanta during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Koh Lanta is a little warmer than Guilin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Guilin. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Guilin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round.
In the winter, Koh Lanta is much warmer than Guilin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Lanta in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Guilin averages at about 10°C (49°F).
In January, Koh Lanta usually receives less rain than Guilin. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lanta 27°C (80°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Guilin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Guilin. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Koh Lanta is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 29°C (85°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Guilin. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. June to September in Koh Lanta is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lanta 29°C (85°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Koh Lanta
| Koh Lanta | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.