Which place is cheaper, Johor Bahru or Koh Lanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Koh Lanta or Johor Bahru?
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 Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru?
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.
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Koh Lanta Prices
Thailand PricesJohor Bahru Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $61Johor Bahru $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $61, while the average daily cost in Johor Bahru is $66. 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 Johor Bahru in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $27Johor Bahru $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $54Johor Bahru $82
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Johor Bahru
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta or Johor Bahru? 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 and Johor Bahru Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $6.20Johor Bahru $13
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$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lanta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lanta:
- Koh Lanta to Phuket Town, Kata, Karon & Patong Shared Transfer: $37
- ATV Jungle Ride on Ko Lanta Noi with Hotel Transfers: $47
- Koh Lanta Elephant Experience with Hotel Transfer: $55
- Koh Lanta Private Transfers to or from Krabi Airport (KBV): $89
- Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta Private Transfer with Hotel Pickup: $122
- Private Transfer Between Hotels in Phuket and Ko Lanta: $209
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $105
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands Transfer [Van]: $87
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuala Besut Transfer [Van]: $136
- Johor Bahru City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
- Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands Hotels (Door to Door) Private Transfer: $180
- Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $125
- Johor Bharu to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $275
- LEGOLAND Malaysia Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $188
- LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $105
- LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
- Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $125
- Malaysia：Senai International Airport（JHB）One-Way Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Johor Bahru?
Prices for flights to both Johor Bahru 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 $20Johor Bahru $16
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$4.78
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Casual Lunch$8.06
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Casual Dinner$13
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$51
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: $53
- Cooking Class and Market Tour at Lanta Thai Cookery School on Koh Lanta: $59
- Thai Cooking in a Teak House on Koh Lanta: $60
- Thai Cooking and Market Tour in Koh Lanta: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $34Johor Bahru $8.04
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$21
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$10
Tours and Activities in Koh Lanta
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lanta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Mangrove Tour by Kayak or Longtail Boat: $23
- Mangrove Tour by Kayaking in Ko Lanta With Lunch: $24
- 3 Islands & Talabeng Sea Cave Half-Day Tour: $27
- Lanta 4 Islands tour (Longtail boat): $30
- Half-Day Mangrove & Lanta Old Town Tour: $30
- Half-Day Thung Yee Peng Mangrove Kayaking Adventure: $31
- 4 Island Tour to Emerald Cave by Longtail Boat from Koh Lanta: $31
- Ko Lanta Mangrove Kayaking Tour With Lunch and Lanta Old Town: $31
- Koh Maa & Koh Ngai Full-Day Tour by Longtail Boat: $31
- Koh Kradan & 4 Islands Full-Day Tour by Longtail Boat: $33
- Lanta Mangrove Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking at Koh Talabeng: $34
- Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour: $35
Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:
- Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.53
- Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $11
- Wings of Time Admission Ticket: $14
- Seletar Indigenous & Fish Farm Tour: $17
- Singapore: Wings of Time Show Entry Ticket: $17
- Malaysia: Johor Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Entry Ticket: $18
- Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony Tickets: $19
- Adventure Waterpark Ticket Desaru Coast: $19
- Dino Rescue Squad - Cinematic Walkthrough VR Experience: $19
- Johor: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Entry Ticket: $21
- Singapore Sentosa Cable Car Sky Pass E-Tickets: $21
- Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony Tickets: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $4.15Johor Bahru $5.25
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Lanta and Johor Bahru, we can see that Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Johor Bahru?
Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Johor Bahru, 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.