A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lanta vs. Xiamen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Xiamen 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $64, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $84. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Lanta $28
    Xiamen $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Lanta $56
    Xiamen $62
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.

Hotels in Koh Lanta


Hotels in Xiamen


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Lanta $6.52
    Xiamen $6.08
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:


  • Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta
    $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou : $115
  • 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 Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
  • Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Koh Lanta $21
    Xiamen $46
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:


  • Casual Breakfast
    $5.02
  • Casual Lunch
    $8.48
  • Casual Dinner
    $14
  • Fancy Dinner (for Two)
    $53

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Lanta $35
    Xiamen $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:


  • Emerald Cave Tour
    $22
  • Yoga Session (1 Hour)
    $11

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
  • Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
  • Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
  • Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
  • Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
  • Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
  • Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Lanta $4.36
    Xiamen $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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh 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)