Which place is cheaper, Karachi 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 Karachi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Karachi, 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 Karachi?
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.
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, and The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesKarachi Prices
Pakistan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $132Karachi $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $132, while the average daily cost in Karachi is $34. 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 Karachi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $61Karachi $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $122Karachi $22
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Karachi
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Karachi? 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 Karachi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Karachi $4.60
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:
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Arrival Transfer to Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- Phuket Airport Private Transfer To or From All Phuket Hotels: $13
- HKT Airport Private Transfer to/from Whole Phuket Island: $14
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus): $14
- Private Phuket Airport Transfer to Hotel and Vice Versa: $15
- Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $15
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $17
- Phuket to Phuket Int Airport (HKT) - Departure Private Transfer: $19
- Phuket To Phi Phi Island By Phi Phi Cruiser - Include Pickup Transfer: $20
- Ferry Ticket & Transfer between Phuket and Phi Phi Island: $20
- Phuket to Koh Phi Phi 1-Way Ferry Transfer: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karachi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Karachi:
- Karachi Half Day City Tour with Local Snacks and Private Transfer: $199
- Karachi Pick up and Dropoff Transfer: $50
- Karachi airport transfer, pick and drop, private chauffeur: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Karachi?
Prices for flights to both Karachi 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 $41Karachi $20
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Old Karachi Street food Tour with Private Transfers: $199
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $206
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $46Karachi $5.09
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
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.64
- Rock Beach Swing Phuket Scenic Photo Spot Ticket: $14
- Phuket Tour with Wat Chalong, Karon View Point, Old Town: $15
- Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $16
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $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
- Phuket City Tour Sightseeing and Night Market Everyday: $23
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour, History, Culture & Sights: $54
- Full Day Karachi to Thatta Unesco Sites Tour: $92
- Full Day Private Karachi City Tour (History and Culture): $125
- Full Day Private City Tour of Karachi: $125
- Karachi City Tour: $129
- Day Tour in Karachi Unesco Heritage: $140
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi: $150
- Karachi Heritage Express: Thatta UNESCO Tour: $150
- Explore Karachi Like a Local Full Day City Tour: $150
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $300
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.95Karachi $3.36
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 Karachi, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Karachi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Karachi?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Karachi, 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 Karachi?
Karachi 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 Karachi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Karachi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.
In July, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Karachi. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Karachi fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Karachi during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Karachi receives 155 hours of full sun in the summer.
Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Karachi. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Karachi 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Karachi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Karachi. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Karachi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Karachi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. In the autumn, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Karachi. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karachi receives 284 hours of full sun.
Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Karachi. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 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)Karachi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Karachi in the Winter?
Both Karachi and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
In the winter, Phuket is a little warmer than Karachi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Karachi averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Karachi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Karachi during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Karachi receives 271 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Phuket usually receives more rain than Karachi. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 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)Karachi 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Karachi in the Spring?
Both Karachi 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 April, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Karachi. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Karachi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the spring, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Karachi. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karachi receives 277 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Karachi. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Karachi receives 10 mm (0.4 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)Karachi 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Karachi and Phuket
| Phuket | Karachi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.