Which place is cheaper, Xiamen or Koh Lanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Lanta or Xiamen?
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 Xiamen 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 Xiamen?
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.
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 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 $48Xiamen $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta 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 Lanta and Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $24Xiamen $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $48Xiamen $60
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta 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.
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 $5.66Xiamen $5.98
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 Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Village: $115
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $11Xiamen $26
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $31Xiamen $16
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 Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Private Xiamen Sea Food Market & Zhongshan Road Shopping and Eating Experience: $107
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $119
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $3.79Xiamen $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Xiamen, we can see that Xiamen 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 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 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 Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Xiamen. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lanta in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen averages at about 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in July than Xiamen. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 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)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Xiamen in the Autumn?
Both Xiamen 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 October, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In October, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Xiamen in the Winter?
Both Xiamen 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.
Koh Lanta is much warmer than Xiamen in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in January than Xiamen. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 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)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Xiamen in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round.
In the spring, Koh Lanta is a little warmer than Xiamen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lanta in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Xiamen averages at about 20°C (69°F).
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Lanta usually receives less rain than Xiamen. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 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)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Koh Lanta
| Koh Lanta | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.