Which place is cheaper, Darjiling 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 Darjiling?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Darjiling, 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 Darjiling?
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.
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
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 Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesDarjiling Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $132Darjiling $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $132, while the average daily cost in Darjiling is $39. 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 Darjiling in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $61Darjiling $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $122Darjiling $22
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Darjiling
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Darjiling? 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 Darjiling Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Darjiling $6.49
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:
- Krabi to Island Transfer & Private Phi Phi Tour: $430
- Phuket’s Must-Do Tours with Return Private Airport Transfers: $241
- Jet Ski Island Hopping Tour with Transfers from Phuket: $233
- Phuket Airport to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $183
- ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer: $153
- Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platforms with Transfer RoundTrips: $153
- Phi Phi Khai and Bamboo Island Sunrise with Transfer from Phuket: $141
- Private Phuket Airport Transfer to Hotels: $137
- ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $128
- Morning Blue Sky Spa Package with Private Transfer: $125
- Departure Private Transfers from Phuket City to Phuket Airport HKT: $125
- Phuket Airport Transfers : Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City in Luxury Van: $125
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $64
- Private Transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra: $48
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Darjiling?
Prices for flights to both Darjiling 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 $41Darjiling $21
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
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $51
- 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: $52
- Simply Thai Cooking Experience: $55
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $55
- Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $46Darjiling $10
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:
- (Bookable Rows 1–3)Simon Cabaret Show Tickets in Patong Phuket: $24
- 1 Day Phuket Sightseeing Tour Without Shopping: $33
- 1 Hour Phuket ATV on Tour + Big Buddha: $39
- 1-Hour Quad Bike ATV Ride – Ultimate Adventure: $58
- 12 Islands Overnight Tour: $199
- 2 Days 1 Night Surin Islands Snorkeling Tour from Phuket: $229
- 2 Hours ATV Riding in Phuket (Popular Tour): $98
- 3 Hour Zipline Adventure Park Experience: 65 Platforms: $104
- 3 Khai Islands Tour- Snorkel, Swim & Relax (Half or Full Day): $33
- 3-Dive Discover Scuba Diving Tour in Phuket for Beginners: $153
- 4 Element Day with Zipline Adventure Expedition: $76
- 4 Hours Jet Ski Experience Hopping To 9 Islands in Phuket: $255
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Gangtok (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $11
- Discover the Spiritual Trails of Darjeeling (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $11
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Darjeeling (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $11
- Gangtok Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Local Food Tasting Tour): $21
- Tiger Hill Darjeeling Nature Walk (3 Hours Guided Trekking Experience): $22
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $27
- Darjeeling City Tour with Uber: $56
- Best of Gangtok (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $73
- Private Calcutta Tour With Guide and Authentic Bengali lunch: $87
- The Land Mark Tour (Nautical Day Darjeeling To Mirik crusade): $92
- Day_Trippers (Darjeeling Full Day Tour).: $92
- Touristic Highlights of Gangtok (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.95Darjiling $7.61
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
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $40
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $85
- Half Day Rum Distillery Tour & Sunset Viewpoint: $95
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery: $107
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $131
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Darjiling, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling 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 Darjiling.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Darjiling Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Darjiling?
Darjiling has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Darjiling, 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.