Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Kao-hsiung, 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 Kao-hsiung?
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.
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesKao-hsiung Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $134Kao-hsiung $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $134, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $127. 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 Kao-hsiung in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $62Kao-hsiung $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $124Kao-hsiung $114
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Kao-hsiung
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Kao-hsiung? 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 $12Kao-hsiung $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)$9.08
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Arrival Transfer to Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- One-Way to/from Phi Phi Premium Ferry Transfer: $14
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus): $15
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Phuket Airport(HKT): $15
- Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $16
- Private Phuket Airport Transfer to Hotel and Vice Versa: $16
- One-Way Ferry Transfer to/from Koh Phi Phi: $17
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $17
- One Way Cruise Transfer from Phuket to Phi Phi – Multiple Classes: $17
- Phuket Private Transfer To or From Phuket Hotel by Van & WiFi: $19
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $133
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $267
- Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer: $50
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port: $75
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Kao-hsiung?
Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung 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 $42Kao-hsiung $56
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)$8.75
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.14
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.72
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Bananas$0.76
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Pizza (for Two)$9.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- One Day Experience Cooking at Phuket Patong Thailand: $28
- Authentic Peranakan Cooking Class & Tasting Menu in Phuket: $30
- Pum Thai Express Cooking Experience with Recipe Book: $37
- Old Town Food Tour | Travstore OG F.A.T: $45
- Siam Niramit Show with Optional Dinner: $47
- Siam Niramit Ticket with Round Transfer and Dinner: $50
- Elephant Experience with Lunch or Dinner and Pickup: $51
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $52
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $52
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $53
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.
- Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $47Kao-hsiung $21
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)$76
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Thai Oil Massage$19
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Surfboard Rental$9.08
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Self Guided Island Tour: $3.56
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.84
- Adventure Village Chalong 1 Hour Entry Ticket | -10% OFF: $13
- Phuket Tour with Wat Chalong, Karon View Point, Old Town: $15
- Rock Beach Swing Entry Ticket: $15
- Feed Me Banana Elephant Experience Short Activity: $16
- Phuket City Tour & Scenic Viewpoints / Night Market: $17
- Phuket Old Town: Authentic Thai Costume Cultural Experience: $18
- Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $18
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $19
- Simon Cabaret Show Phuket Admission E-Ticket: $20
- Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $20
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- Chimei Museum Permanent Exhibition Entry Ticket Tainan: $14
- National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium Admission Ticket: $25
- Suzuka Circuit Park Admission Ticket in Kaohsiung: $32
- Kaohsiung Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: Fo Guang Shan x Lotus Pond x Pier-2: $62
- Kenting National Park & Pingtung Coastal Day Tour from Kaohsiung: $65
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $69
- Tainan Romantic Escape: Qipao Experience & Love Match Ceremony: $70
- Tainan Night Walking Tour: $70
- Kaohsiung Cultural Day: TourMoon World, Hakka Lei Cha DIY, Pier-2: $73
- Alishan Join-in Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $86
- Tainan Highlights Tour: Qigu Salt Mountain Chihkan Tower & Anping: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.05Kao-hsiung $10
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)$6.05
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Beer$2.57
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: $15
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $29
- Bar Crawl Tour: $29
- Cocktail Workshop with Distillery Visit & Tasting: $39
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $53
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $88
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $134
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172
When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Kao-hsiung Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Kao-hsiung?
Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Kao-hsiung, 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.