Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Koh Tarutao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Guilin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Koh Tarutao or Guilin?
Koh Tarutao
While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural 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 Tarutao $98Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $98, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Tarutao and Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Tarutao $50Guilin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Tarutao $100Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Tarutao $34Guilin $5.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $92
- Private Transfer: Guilin Airport to Yangshuo Hotel: $115
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $197
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $57
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin and Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao $28Guilin $22
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Tarutao $14Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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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:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- 1 Day Guilin to Yangshuo with top scenery & culture private tour : $79
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $219
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $169
- 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Cycling and Yulong bamboo boat Private Tour: $94
- 1 Day Yangshuo private Day Tour with the Scooter: $105
- 1 day Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Countryside with Scooter Private Tour: $204
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- 1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show: $89
- 1-Day Guilin Xing'an Ling Canal Private Tour: $183
- 1-Day Longji Terrace Fields-Dazhai village Tour with the English Speaking Driver: $79
- 1-Day Longji Terrace Fields-Pingan village Tour with the English Speaking Driver: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Tarutao $7.01Guilin $5.72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Guilin, we can see that Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Guilin?
Guilin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tarutao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Guilin in the Summer?
Both Guilin and Koh Tarutao during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Tarutao in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in July than Guilin. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round.
In October, Koh Tarutao is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Guilin. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Guilin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Guilin. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Koh Tarutao usually gets less rain in January than Guilin. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Tarutao 27°C (80°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year.
In the spring, Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Tarutao in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives less rain than Guilin. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Tarutao 29°C (85°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Koh Tarutao
| Koh Tarutao | 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.