Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Phuket or Hongcun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Hongcun, 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 Hongcun?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca 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.
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $105Hongcun $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $52. 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 Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $56Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $112Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Hongcun? 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 $11Hongcun $12
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)$8.18
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Phuket Airport Bus Transfer from/to Karon Beach: $5.35
- From Phuket or Pa Tong: Transfer to Gun Shooting Range: $6.76
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $10
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $12
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus) : $13
- One-Way Ferry Transfer to/from Koh Phi Phi: $14
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Arrival Transfer : $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Departure Transfer : $15
- Phuket International Airport (HKT): Transfer to/from Phuket: $16
- Phuket Shared Arrival Transfer: $17
- Private Phuket Departure Transfer - Hotel to Phuket Airport : $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun 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 $22Hongcun $19
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)$7.88
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Thai Noodles$2.45
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Bananas$0.68
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Pizza (for Two)$8.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.83
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $42Hongcun $17
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$25
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$68
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Thai Oil Massage$17
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Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Botanic Garden Admission Ticket: $3.01
- The Selfie Experience Phuket Admission Ticket: $4.14
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Phuket to Phi Phi Tonsai Ferry by Royal Jet Cruiser with Pickup Service: $13
- Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $14
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket Trickeye Museum Day Admission Ticket: $15
- Baan Teelanka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $16
- Original Discovery Tour: $17
- Old Phuket Farm Ticket - Countryside Local Life Culture: $18
- Child Ticket age 6 - 12 years old (Tourist): $18
- Simon Cabaret Show Phuket (Ticket Only): $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.35Hongcun $14
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)$5.46
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Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $77
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Hongcun, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Phuket or Hongcun?
Hongcun 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 Hongcun in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.
In the summer, Phuket is around the same temperature as Hongcun. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun averages at about 29°C (85°F).
Hongcun 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 Hongcun. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Hongcun in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Hongcun. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Phuket is generally a little warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Hongcun. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 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)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Hongcun in the Winter?
Both Hongcun and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
Hongcun can be very cold during winter. Phuket is much warmer than Hongcun in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 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)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Hongcun in the Spring?
Both Hongcun 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.
In the spring, Phuket is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Hongcun averages at about 17°C (62°F).
Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets less rain in April than Hongcun. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 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)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Phuket
| Phuket | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.