Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Koh Tarutao?
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 Tarutao or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie. 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 Zhangjiajie?
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.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
-
Koh Tarutao Prices
Thailand PricesZhangjiajie Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Tarutao $137Zhangjiajie $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $137, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $79. 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 Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Tarutao $57Zhangjiajie $30
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Tarutao $114Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao or Zhangjiajie? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Tarutao $39Zhangjiajie $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $321
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKoh Tarutao $56Zhangjiajie $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Tarutao $17Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- 2-Day Private Combo Tour: Avatar Mountain & Tianmen Mountain: $251
- 2-Days Private tour to Avatar mount & Have's Gate & Glass bridge: $250
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR！: $272
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1 Day VIP Tour: Avatar Mountain&72 Odd Towers (Free Ticket): $203
- 1 day tour Avatar Mountain and Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge: $215
- 1-Day Private Tour to Glass Bridge & Yellow Dragon Cave: $102
- 1-Day Private Tour to Tianmen Mountain & Glass Walk & Night Light: $146
- 1-Day Private Tour to ZJJ National Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & AVATAR Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $195
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Tarutao $8.08Zhangjiajie $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Koh Tarutao is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie.
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 Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Zhangjiajie. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round.
In July, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Zhangjiajie. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Zhangjiajie in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in October than Zhangjiajie. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 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.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
Both Zhangjiajie and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year.
In the winter, Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Tarutao in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 5°C (42°F).
In January, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Tarutao 27°C (80°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
Both Zhangjiajie and Koh Tarutao during the spring 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 April, Koh Tarutao is generally much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 29°C (85°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Zhangjiajie 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 less rain in April than Zhangjiajie. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 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.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Tarutao 29°C (85°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Koh Tarutao
| Koh Tarutao | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.