Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Koh Lipe?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Koh Lipe or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Guilin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Koh Lipe or Guilin?
Koh Lipe
Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
-
Koh Lipe Prices
Thailand PricesGuilin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lipe $120Guilin $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lipe is $120, while the average daily cost in Guilin 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 Lipe and Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lipe $50Guilin $35
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lipe $100Guilin $70
Compare Hotels in Koh Lipe and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lipe or Guilin? 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 Lipe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lipe $21Guilin $5.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:
- Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
-
Taxi$2.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dongguan Transfer: $71
- Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $18
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $58
- Haikou Meilan Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer, Pick up: $54
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Yangshuo: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lipe or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin and Koh Lipe 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 dayKoh Lipe $52Guilin $39
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
-
Fresh Coconut Drink$1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Wukong Guilin Neighborhood Food Tour: $65
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lipe $27Guilin $28
Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $25
- Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $27
- Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $29
- Private Experience with Fishing, Barbeque, Sashimi and Snorkeling: $78
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $127
- Koh Lipe Beginner Scuba Diving Half Day Tour with Lunch: $131
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Tour with Elephant Hill & Ming Tea Tasting: $46
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide(beginner friendly): $51
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- 1-Day tour of Guilin-LiRiver cruise-Yangshuo Xianggong hill : $55
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $60
- Guilin English tour guide service : $62
- Private day tours: ancient zhuang rice terraces hiking to PingAn : $66
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Li River Cruise ticket from Guilin to Yangshuo with pickup: $72
- Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo Day Tour: $72
- Fully-Guided Private Day Tour of Longji Terraces From Guilin: $72
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lipe $9.42Guilin $5.81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lipe and Guilin, we can see that Koh Lipe is more expensive. And not only is Guilin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guilin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guilin 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 Koh Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe than you might in Guilin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lipe Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe or Guilin?
Guilin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Lipe experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Guilin in the Summer?
Both Guilin and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year.
Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Guilin in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. In July, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Guilin. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lipe 27°C (81°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Guilin in the Autumn?
Both Guilin and Koh Lipe during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Koh Lipe is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lipe in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Guilin averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in October than Guilin. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Koh Lipe. May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lipe 27°C (81°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Guilin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round.
In January, Koh Lipe is generally much warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (80°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In January, Koh Lipe usually receives less rain than Guilin. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lipe 27°C (80°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Koh Lipe or Guilin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Guilin. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Lipe is a little warmer than Guilin in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Guilin. Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Lipe usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. May to October in Koh Lipe is the rainy season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lipe 29°C (85°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Koh Lipe
| Koh Lipe | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.