Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Koh Lanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Lanta or Harbin?
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 Harbin 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 Harbin?
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.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $48Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $48, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $24Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $48Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta or Harbin? 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 $5.66Harbin $1.49
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:
- Pravate Transfer Lanta Island to Krabi Airport, Krabi Town, Ao nang: $74
- One-Way Transfer from Koh Lanta to Krabi Town or Airport by Minivan: $11
- Koh lanta to phuket any hotel Private transfer: $171
- Koh Lanta :Krabi Airport Private Transfer:From Airport or Hotel: $111
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin 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 $11Harbin $14
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $31Harbin $52
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:
- 4 Island Tour to Emerald Cave by Longtail Boat from Koh Lanta: $28
- 4 Islands Day Tour By Opal Travel Speedboat: $42
- Full Day Sea Cave and Mangrove Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $52
- Half Day 2 Caves Ko Skull Tour Ko Lanta and Kayaking Ko Talabeng: $25
- Half Day Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $29
- Koh Ha Koh Rok Day Tour by Opal Travel Speed boat: $47
- Koh Ngai, Koh Muk + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour by Classic Longtail Boat: $32
- Koh Phi Phi Day Tour by Opal Travel Speedboat: $42
- Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour: $26
- Lanta 4 Islands tour (Longtail boat): $26
- Lanta Mangrove Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking at Koh Talabeng: $30
- Lanta Old Town and Mangrove Forest Sightseeing Tour: $40
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Small Group Tour to Harbin Siberian Park Tiger: $200
- Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $3.79Harbin $7.83
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Lanta and Harbin, we can see that Harbin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 530 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Harbin, 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 Harbin?
Harbin 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 Harbin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Harbin. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Lanta is a little warmer than Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Harbin. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Koh Lanta is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year.
In the autumn, Koh Lanta is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lanta in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).
It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In October, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Harbin. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Koh Lanta during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. In January, Koh Lanta is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (80°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lanta 27°C (80°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round.
Koh Lanta is much warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Harbin. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lanta 29°C (85°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Koh Lanta
| Koh Lanta | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.