Which place is cheaper, Chongqing 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 Chongqing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Chongqing, 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 Chongqing?
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.
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
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 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesChongqing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $132Chongqing $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $132, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $113. 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 Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $61Chongqing $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $122Chongqing $106
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Chongqing
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Chongqing? 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 and Chongqing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Chongqing $20
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)$8.95
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $17
- ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $129
- Airport Transfer: Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket by Business Car: $113
- Airport Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $113
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Tickets with Transfers: $110
- Andamanda Water Park Phuket Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $75
- Arrival Private Transfers from Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City: $125
- Best Ziplines Adventure 30 platforms with free transfer: $124
- Comfortable Private Phuket Airport to Hotel Arrival Transfer: $26
- Departure Private Transfers from Phuket City to Phuket Airport HKT: $125
- Departure Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $113
- Erawan Patong Seaview Zipline Adventure with Transfers: $64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Chongqing Airport & Rail Transfer to City Hotel: $23
- Chongqing Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfer: $35
- Chongqing Airport Private Transfer: $22
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $25
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
- Chongqing Private Transfer Airport Train Station Hotel Luxury Car: $10
- 5-Day Private Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- Jiangbei International Airport Transfer 24h Services: $56
- Wulong 3-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- Wulong 5-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $687
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Chongqing?
Prices for flights to both Chongqing 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 $41Chongqing $46
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)$8.63
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.07
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.69
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Bananas$0.75
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Pizza (for Two)$8.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Authentic Peranakan Cooking Class & Tasting Menu in Phuket: $29
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $47
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $50
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $52
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- 3-Hour Authentic Thai Cooking Experience: $52
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Phuket Coral Island & Sunset Dinner Cruise by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Simply Thai Cooking Experience: $55
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $58
- Coral Island Premium Yacht Half Day Tour with Sunset Dinner: $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
- Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
- Be a Chongqinger - wet market tour &cooking class & paper cutting: $89
- Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
- Chongqing Food Tour: $93
- Private Food Tour and Magical Night View: $107
- Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner: $140
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
- Private Chongqing Night View Tour with Hot Pot or Local Dinner: $199
- From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $246
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $46Chongqing $14
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$27
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$75
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Thai Oil Massage$19
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Surfboard Rental$8.95
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Self Guided Scavenger Hunts and Gamified Tours: $6.10
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.67
- Rock Beach Swing Phuket Scenic Photo Spot Ticket: $14
- Phuket Tour with Wat Chalong, Karon View Point, Old Town: $15
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $16
- Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $16
- Ultimate Virtual Reality Gaming Park Ticket at VAR Live in Phuket: $17
- Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $18
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $20
- Rock Beach Swing Ticket with Karon Viewpoint in Phuket: $20
- Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $20
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Wulong Private Tour All Inclusive: Premium Vehicle & local Lunch: $10
- Premium Chongqing Private Tours: Highlights, Night View or Cruise: $10
- Chongqing Cloud Eye Observation Deck Ticket: $12
- 520m-high Eye Skyview Deck Ticket for Adult: $26
- Chongqing 1949 Immersive Theatre Show Ticket: $33
- Two Rivers Night Cruise- Yangtze & Jialing Rivers: $40
- Chongqing 1949 Ticket Epic Historical Spectacle: $41
- Chongqing 1949 Grand Theater Immersive Show Ticket: $43
- Chongqing Motorcycle Tour-Neon Glide Riverlight Rider: $50
- Chongqing Night Cruise Old Street and Scenic Drive Tour: $52
- VIP Two Rivers Night Cruise Ticket With Live Show: $56
- Chong Qing : 1949 theater historical Show Ticket: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.95Chongqing $7.47
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)$5.97
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Beer$2.54
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots: $17
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $29
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $40
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $52
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $86
- Half Day Rum Distillery Tour & Sunset Viewpoint: $95
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery: $107
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $132
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Chongqing, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Chongqing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chongqing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chongqing 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 Chongqing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Chongqing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Chongqing?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Chongqing, 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.
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.