Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Phuket?
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 Phuket or Benxi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Benxi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Phuket or Benxi?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
Benxi
Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesBenxi Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $139Benxi $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $139, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $118. 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 Phuket and Benxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $64Benxi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $128Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Benxi
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Benxi? 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: Phuket Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Benxi $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$9.42
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $11
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Arrival Transfer to Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- Private Phuket Airport Transfer to Hotel and Vice Versa: $13
- PHUKET Arrival Transfer-Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotels (Shared): $15
- Phuket Departure Transfer from Hotel to Phuket Airport (Shared): $15
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus) : $15
- Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $16
- Phuket Airport Departure Transfer – Domestic & International : $19
- Phuket Hotel to Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $19
- Phuket Airport Arrival Transfer – Domestic & International : $19
- Departure Transfer : Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport (Private): $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Benxi?
Prices for flights to both Benxi and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $43Benxi $53
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$9.08
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.34
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.83
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Bananas$0.79
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Pizza (for Two)$9.42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $43
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes : $44
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $52
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $53
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $57
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $57
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour and Hotel Pickup: $58
- Carnival Entertainment and Dinner Experience in Phuket: $59
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Flavours of the South Food Tour: $59
- Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $49Benxi $7.41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$28
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$79
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Thai Oil Massage$20
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Surfboard Rental$9.42
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self Guided Scavenger Hunts and Gamified Tours: $4.75
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $8.05
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Aquarium Phuket Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $17
- Aquaria Phuket Tickets and 4D Trickeye Museum Combo Deal: $17
- Aquaria Phuket and 4D Trickeye Museum Experience Ticket: $17
- Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
- Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $21
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $21
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $21
- Patong Beach Parasailing and Jet Skiing Experience Shared: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.32Benxi $7.81
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$6.28
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Beer$2.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $41
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $55
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $89
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $113
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $138
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Benxi, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Benxi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Benxi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Benxi 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket than you might in Benxi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Benxi?
Benxi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Benxi, 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 Phuket or Benxi?
Benxi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Phuket experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Phuket or Benxi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Benxi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Benxi in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Benxi this time of the year. In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Benxi during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 214 hours of full sun in the summer.
Benxi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Benxi. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Benxi 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Benxi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Benxi. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Phuket is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Benxi averages at about 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Benxi. In the autumn, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Benxi. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 216 hours of full sun.
Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Benxi. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Benxi 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Benxi in the Winter?
Both Benxi and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
Benxi can be very cold during winter. In January, Phuket is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Benxi during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 167 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Phuket usually receives more rain than Benxi. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Phuket is December to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Benxi -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Benxi in the Spring?
Both Benxi and Phuket during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Phuket is much warmer than Benxi in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Benxi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the spring, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Benxi. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 241 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Benxi. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Benxi 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Benxi and Phuket
| Phuket | Benxi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.