A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mount Kailash vs. Koh Chang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mount Kailash or Koh Chang?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Mount Kailash or Koh Chang? 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 Koh Chang?

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.

Koh Chang

Most people pick Thailand for their destination because they're anxious to collapse on a breathtaking beach. If that is you, Ko Chang does not disappoint. As one the country's most beautiful islands, Ko Chang is full of white beaches and incredible wildlife. Beware, though, you're not the only one with Ko Chang in mind. During the high season, the island can become quite crowded with tourists.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Chang 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.

  • Mount Kailash Prices
    China Prices
    Koh Chang Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Mount Kailash $90
    Koh Chang $70

The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $90, while the average daily cost in Koh Chang is $70. 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 Koh Chang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mount Kailash $27
    Koh Chang $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mount Kailash $54
    Koh Chang $56
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Koh Chang

Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Koh Chang? 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.

Hotels in Mount Kailash


Hotels in Koh Chang


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 Chang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mount Kailash $32
    Koh Chang $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang

Also for Koh Chang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Koh Chang to BKK or DMK Airport Private Transfers : $161
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $236
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $229
  • Trat Airport: Shared Transfers to/from Koh Chang with Ferry: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Koh Chang?

Prices for flights to both Koh Chang 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mount Kailash $43
    Koh Chang $33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mount Kailash $16
    Koh Chang $6.28

Tours and Activities in Koh Chang

For Koh Chang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Kayak Experience in Bang Bao Bay with Lunch: $25
  • Snorkeling Adventure at Koh Chang – Departing from Koh Chang: $32
  • PADI Discover Scuba Dive Experience: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mount Kailash $2.80
    Koh Chang $5.38


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Koh Chang, we can see that Mount Kailash is more expensive. And not only is Koh Chang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Chang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Chang 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 Koh Chang.

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 Koh Chang Expensive?.


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