Which place is cheaper, Qingdao or Koh Tarutao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Qingdao?
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 Qingdao. 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 Qingdao?
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.
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Tarutao $98Qingdao $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $98, while the average daily cost in Qingdao is $58. 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 Qingdao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Tarutao $50Qingdao $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Tarutao $100Qingdao $52
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Qingdao
Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao or Qingdao? 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 $34Qingdao $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Qingdao?
Prices for flights to both Qingdao 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 $28Qingdao $20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Tarutao $14Qingdao $20
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Tarutao $7.01Qingdao $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Qingdao, we can see that Koh Tarutao is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Qingdao.
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 Qingdao Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Qingdao?
Qingdao 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 Qingdao in the Summer?
Both Qingdao and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year.
Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Qingdao in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Qingdao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In July, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Qingdao 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Qingdao in the Autumn?
Both Qingdao and Koh Tarutao during the autumn 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 autumn, Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Tarutao in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Qingdao averages at about 17°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in October than Qingdao. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Koh Tarutao. May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Qingdao 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Qingdao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Qingdao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round.
It's quite cold in Qingdao in the winter. In January, Koh Tarutao is generally much warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (80°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
In January, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Tarutao 27°C (80°F)Qingdao -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Qingdao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Qingdao. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Qingdao in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Qingdao fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in April than Qingdao. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. May and October in Koh Tarutao is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Tarutao 29°C (85°F)Qingdao 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Qingdao and Koh Tarutao
| Koh Tarutao | Qingdao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.