Which place is cheaper, Cheju (Jeju) or Mount Kailash?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mount Kailash or Cheju (Jeju)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Cheju (Jeju)? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Mount Kailash or Cheju (Jeju)?
Mount Kailash
The main point of entry to Mount Kailash is a small village called Darchen. Once an important sheep station for nomads and their flocks, the village has now grown to provide for the pilgrims wishing to embark towards Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It contains a number of guest houses and restaurants as well as a hotel where pilgrims must get permission from the Public Security Bureau to make the trek around the mountain. Also in the village are a handful of small stores and kiosks, as well as some grounds for camping. It is about 330 km (a one-day bus drive) from the town of Shiquanhe to the northeast, where Gunsa Airport is located, offering flights twice a week to Lhasa and Chengdu.
Cheju (Jeju)
Cheju is an island located just off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait. It is known for its volcanic landscape full of craters and cave-like lava tubes, which many visitors venture to hike and explore. With the main industry invested in tourism, it is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners alike, and remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in South Korea, and The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea.
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Mount Kailash Prices
China PricesCheju (Jeju) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $96Cheju (Jeju) $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $96, while the average daily cost in Cheju (Jeju) is $87. 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 Mount Kailash and Cheju (Jeju) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $29Cheju (Jeju) $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $58Cheju (Jeju) $94
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Cheju (Jeju)
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Cheju (Jeju)? 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.Mount Kailash $34Cheju (Jeju) $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cheju (Jeju)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cheju (Jeju):
- Jeju Airport (CJU) Private Transfer to Jeju City Centre/Seogwipo: $27
- Jeju international Airport Transfer Pick up and Sending Service: $46
- Private Sightseeing Tour to Jeju Island with Transfer Included: $190
- Private Taxi Transfer from Jeju City to Jeju Airport(one way ): $40
- Private Transfer Airport to jeju city (Round Transportation): $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Cheju (Jeju)?
Prices for flights to both Cheju (Jeju) and Mount Kailash 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 dayMount Kailash $46Cheju (Jeju) $31
Typical Food Prices in Cheju (Jeju)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cheju (Jeju):
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Burger$4.62
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Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant)$7.44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $17Cheju (Jeju) $5.64
Tours and Activities in Cheju (Jeju)
Here are a few actual costs in Cheju (Jeju) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Jeju Theme Park TOON Discounted Admission Ticket: $14
- Jeju Seongsan Ilchulbong Hanbok Experience: $20
- Jeju The K-Show Taekwondo Show Ticket: $21
- Jeju UNESCO Highlights Tour | Lava cave & with Haenyeo Show: $22
- [Jeju] Premium Hanbok Cultural Experience with Hair Styling: $25
- Jeju East Highlights Tour Manjanggul Lava Tube and Haenyeo Show: $25
- Jeju: UNESCO-Listed Southern Authentic Day Tour: $25
- Jeju South and West Highlights Tour with Hallasan and Lava Cliff: $29
- Jeju South-West UNESCO Tour with Pink Muhly Festival: $30
- Jeju East UNESCO Tour & Haenyeo Show: $30
- [For Cruise Guest]Jeju UNESCO Tour from Gangjeong Cruise Terminal: $44
- [For Cruise Guests] Jeju UNESCO Day Tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.99Cheju (Jeju) $7.33
When comparing the travel costs between Mount Kailash and Cheju (Jeju), we can see that Mount Kailash is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mount Kailash Expensive? and Is Cheju (Jeju) Expensive?.
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.