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 $95Cheju (Jeju) $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $95, while the average daily cost in Cheju (Jeju) is $77. 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) $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $58Cheju (Jeju) $84
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 $33Cheju (Jeju) $9.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cheju (Jeju)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cheju (Jeju):
- Jeju international Airport Transfer Pick up and Sending Service: $40
- Private Jeju Airport Transfer : Jeju Airport to/from Jeju(~7 pax): $89
- Private Taxi Transfer from Jeju City to Jeju Airport(one way ): $90
- Private Transfer From Airport to Downtown jeju city (Two way ): $45
- Private Transfer From Jeju Airport to in Seogwipo Jeju Island: $70
- Private Transfer From Seogwipo to Jeju Airport in jeju island: $65
- jeju island Private Taxi Hallasan Hiking Trail Transfer - One way: $180
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 $45Cheju (Jeju) $27
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$4.11
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Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant)$6.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cheju (Jeju)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cheju (Jeju).
- JEJU Cooking Class _Class & Dinner at Jeju Seaside Sunset Terrace: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $17Cheju (Jeju) $5.03
Tours and Activities in Cheju (Jeju)
Here are a few actual costs in Cheju (Jeju) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Jeju The K-Show Taekwondo Show Ticket: $18
- [Jeju] Hanbok Rental Experience/Korean Traditional Clothes Rental Shop: $25
- [Jeju] Woman Diver Haenyeo Traditional Clothes Rental Experience: $25
- Jeju South-West UNESCO Tour & Hallasan: $39
- Jeju East UNESCO Tour & Haenyeo Show: $39
- Jeju Island South Unesco Mt Halla One day Bus Tour: $53
- Jeju Southern UNESCO Full Day Tour with Mt.Halla: $53
- Jeju Eastern UNESCO Sites Day Tour: $53
- Jeju Western and Southern Routes Sightseeing Day Tour: $53
- Jeju Eastern Must visit Unesco Spots Join In Tour: $53
- Jeju WestSouth One Day Authentic Tour with MT.Halla & UNESCO: $53
- Jeju Island South UNESCO Highlights Day Tour With Mt Halla: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.96Cheju (Jeju) $6.52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Cheju (Jeju), we can see that Mount Kailash is more expensive. And not only is Cheju (Jeju) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cheju (Jeju) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cheju (Jeju) 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 Mount Kailash would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mount Kailash than you might in Cheju (Jeju).
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.