Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Longsheng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Longsheng or Koh Tao?
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 Longsheng and Koh Tao. 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: Longsheng or Koh Tao?
Longsheng
A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLongsheng $78Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Longsheng is $78, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Longsheng and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLongsheng $20Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLongsheng $40Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Longsheng and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Longsheng or Koh Tao? 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 Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Longsheng $41Koh Tao $8.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Longsheng or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Longsheng 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 dayLongsheng $35Koh Tao $9.21
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Longsheng $8.38Koh Tao $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $277
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLongsheng $7.89Koh Tao $7.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Longsheng and Koh Tao, we can see that Longsheng is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Longsheng would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Longsheng than you might in Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Longsheng Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Longsheng or Koh Tao?
Longsheng has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Longsheng or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao and Longsheng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Longsheng is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Longsheng. In July, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Longsheng gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLongsheng 30°C (86°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Longsheng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
In the autumn, Longsheng is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Longsheng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Longsheng usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Longsheng gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLongsheng 23°C (73°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Longsheng and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Longsheng is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 10°C (49°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In January, Longsheng usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Longsheng gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLongsheng 10°C (49°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Longsheng as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Longsheng is cooler than Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Longsheng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Longsheng usually gets more rain in April than Koh Tao. Longsheng gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLongsheng 20°C (68°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Longsheng
| Longsheng | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.