Which place is cheaper, Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Koh Lipe? 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 Lipe?
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 Lipe
Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Mount Kailash Prices
China PricesKoh Lipe Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $90Koh Lipe $120
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $90, while the average daily cost in Koh Lipe is $120. 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 Lipe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $27Koh Lipe $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $54Koh Lipe $100
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Koh Lipe
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Koh Lipe? 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 Lipe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mount Kailash $32Koh Lipe $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:
- Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Koh Lipe?
Prices for flights to both Koh Lipe 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 $43Koh Lipe $52
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $16Koh Lipe $27
Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $25
- Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $27
- Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $29
- Private Experience with Fishing, Barbeque, Sashimi and Snorkeling: $78
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $127
- Koh Lipe Beginner Scuba Diving Half Day Tour with Lunch: $131
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.80Koh Lipe $9.42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Koh Lipe, we can see that Koh Lipe is more expensive. And not only is Mount Kailash much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Kailash would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Kailash 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 Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe than you might in Mount Kailash.
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 Lipe 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.