Which place is cheaper, Kunming 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 Kunming?
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 Kunming 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 Kunming?
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.
Kunming
Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Koh Lanta Prices
Thailand PricesKunming Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $63Kunming $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $63, while the average daily cost in Kunming is $89. 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 Kunming in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $28Kunming $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $56Kunming $70
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Kunming
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta or Kunming? 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 $6.37Kunming $14
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:
- Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta Private Transfer with Hotel Pickup: $125
- Koh Lanta Private Transfers to or from Krabi Airport (KBV): $91
- ATV Jungle Ride on Ko Lanta Noi with Hotel Transfers: $48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:
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Taxi Ride$1.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming
Also for Kunming, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
- Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pick up: $71
- Kunming Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
- Kunming Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Kunming Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $88
- Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90
- Private Transfer from Kunming hotel to Guizhou Xingyi hotel: $240
- [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! : $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Kunming?
Prices for flights to both Kunming 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 $21Kunming $41
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$4.91
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Casual Lunch$8.29
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Casual Dinner$14
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$52
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: $49
- Thai Cooking and Market Tour in Koh Lanta: $51
- Cooking Class and Market Tour at Lanta Thai Cookery School on Koh Lanta: $60
- Thai Cooking in a Teak House on Koh Lanta: $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming
For Kunming, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Discovery more Kunming evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Private Kunming Night Tour with Dinner: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $34Kunming $19
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)$11
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: $31
- Full Day Sea Cave and Mangrove Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $58
- Full Day Snorkeling Tour to Koh Rok and Koh Haa from Koh Lanta: $56
- Half Day Mangrove and Lanta Old Town Tour: $31
- Half-Day Thung Yee Peng Mangrove Kayaking Adventure: $31
- Koh Lanta Mangrove and Monkey Point Longtail Boat Tour: $24
- 4 Islands Tour by Speedboat with Snorkeling: $49
- Koh Rok and Koh Haa Snorkeling Tour with Beachside Lunch: $55
- Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour: $36
- Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat: $51
- Lanta 4 Islands tour (Longtail boat): $30
- Lanta Mangrove Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking at Koh Talabeng: $34
Tours and Activities in Kunming
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.
- Kunming City & Cultural Walking tour: $26
- Yunnan University & Culture Alley Guided Tour: $26
- Dynamic Yunnan Cultural Show Ticket in Kunming: $32
- Half Day Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $43
- Kunming City Tour with Private Guide: $44
- Stone Forest + Yiliang Roast Duck + Kunming City Private Tour: $56
- Kunming Yunnan Provincial Museum Private Tour: $64
- Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour: $64
- Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $66
- Guandu Ancient Town Private Tour (Half-Day): $66
- Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour (Half Day): $66
- Old Town Private Tour (Half Day): $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $4.27Kunming $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Kunming, we can see that Kunming 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 Kunming would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kunming 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 Kunming Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Kunming?
Kunming has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Kunming, 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.