Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Koh Tao? 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: Nanjing or Koh Tao?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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 The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in 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 dayNanjing $96Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, 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 Nanjing and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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.Nanjing $38Koh Tao $8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Private Day Tour: Nanjing City Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $232
- Nanjing Lukou Int Airport (NKG): Private Transfer to Nanjing: $175
- Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $163
- Nanjing To Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $129
- Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $120
- Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing central to Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG): $115
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
- Nanjing Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Experience with Private Transfer: $103
- Private Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing City Center: $94
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
- Nanjing to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $90
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
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 Nanjing or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $28Koh Tao $9.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
- Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
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.Nanjing $9.27Koh Tao $26
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour with Xiaoling Tomb and Sun Yatsen Mausoleum : $124
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Nanjing Jiming Temple, Ming City Wall, Xuanwu Lake: $147
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Sun Yatsen Mausoleum, Xiaoling Tomb and City Wall: $190
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- All-Inclusive Nanjing Purple Mountain Scenic Area Private Day Tour: $187
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
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.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $277
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.46Koh 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 Nanjing and Koh Tao, we can see that Nanjing 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 Nanjing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nanjing 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 Nanjing Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Koh Tao?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 2230 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Koh Tao, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Nanjing or Koh Tao?
Nanjing 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 Nanjing or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao and Nanjing during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
Nanjing is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. Nanjing usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Koh Tao. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNanjing 28°C (83°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Nanjing is cooler than Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNanjing 17°C (63°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Nanjing can be very cold during winter. In January, Nanjing is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNanjing 3°C (37°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Nanjing is much colder than Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Nanjing. In April, Nanjing usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNanjing 15°C (60°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 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.