Should you visit Phuket or Koh Lanta?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Koh Lanta, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
Which city is cheaper, Koh Lanta or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $92, while the average daily cost in Koh Lanta is $43. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Phuket and Koh Lanta in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Phuket is about $102 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Koh Lanta is $44. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Phuket cost around $18 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $7.20.
The average traveler spends about $9.67 per day in Koh Lanta for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Phuket $18
Koh Lanta $9.67
Typical Food prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
-
Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Typical Food prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
-
Casual Breakfast
$4.89
-
Casual Lunch
$8.26
-
Casual Dinner
$14
-
Fancy Dinner (for Two)
$52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Lanta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Koh Lanta.
-
Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Phuket is $8.99 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Koh Lanta is $5.08 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
-
Private Krabi/Phuket Airport Transfers (KBV/HKT) for Krabi & More:
$15
-
Private Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Phuket and Other Areas by Oriental Holiday:
$18
-
7 Spa Luxury Spa Treatments in Pattaya with Round Trip Transfers:
$26
-
Departure Private Transfers from Phuket City to Phuket Airport HKT:
$96
-
Departure Private Transfers from Phuket City to Phuket Airport HKT:
$100
-
Express Boat Transfers between Phuket and Koh Phi Phi:
$16
-
Kata Rocks Resort & Residences (8D7N) with free COE Application and Airport Transfers:
$2,321
-
Luxe Transfer Airport - Central Phuket by Mercedes-Benz S-class:
$136
-
Luxe Transfer Airport - Central Phuket by Toyota Alphard:
$118
-
Luxe Transfer Airport - Central Phuket by Toyota Ventury VIP Saloon:
$58
-
Luxe Transfer Airport - North Phuket by Mercedes-Benz E-class:
$77
-
Luxe Transfer Airport - North Phuket by Mercedes-Benz S-class:
$118
Typical Local Transportation prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lanta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lanta:
-
Private Krabi/Phuket Airport Transfers (KBV/HKT) for Krabi & More:
$15
-
Private Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Phuket and Other Areas by Oriental Holiday:
$18
-
7 Spa Luxury Spa Treatments in Pattaya with Round Trip Transfers:
$26
-
Kata Rocks Resort & Residences (8D7N) with free COE Application and Airport Transfers:
$2,321
-
Private Bangkok and Pattaya Airports Transfers (UTP, DMK or BKK) for Pattaya:
$31
-
Private Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Transfers for Chiang Mai by TTD:
$12
-
Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai and More:
$16
-
Private City Transfers between Ayutthaya and Bangkok by TTS:
$53
-
Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya by TTS:
$53
-
Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More:
$46
-
Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More by TTD:
$43
-
Private City Transfers between Hat Yai and Pak Bara Pier:
$68
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Koh Lanta?
Prices for flights to both Koh Lanta 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.
Entertainment
Phuket's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $38 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Koh Lanta's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $27 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Typical Entertainment prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
One Day Boat Tour
$28
-
Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
$76
-
Thai Oil Massage
$20
-
Surfboard Rental
$9.17
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
SHOCK PRICE!! Only at THB10 for Airport Rail Link (ARL) Single Journey Ticket with FREE EMS:
$0.30
-
Pattaya Pipo Pony Club Admission Ticket in Pattaya:
$1.55
-
Pattaya Sheep Farm Ticket:
$2.19
-
Ramayana Water Park Ticket in Pattaya:
$3.75
-
Nails, Eyelash, and Waxing Beauty Experience at Ju's Nail:
$3.75
-
Wakeboarding Experience at Thai Wake Park in Pattaya:
$4.19
-
Pong Yang Adventure Park Experience:
$4.49
-
Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
-
Rejuv Salon Beauty Experiences at Sathon Bangkok:
$5.85
-
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Ticket in Pattaya:
$5.89
-
Sleep Salon & Nails Experience in Bangkok:
$6.15
-
Kanchanaburi Mallika City Ticket:
$6.19
Typical Entertainment prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Emerald Cave Tour
$21
-
Yoga Session (1 Hour)
$11
Tours and Activities in Koh Lanta
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lanta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
SHOCK PRICE!! Only at THB10 for Airport Rail Link (ARL) Single Journey Ticket with FREE EMS:
$0.30
-
Pattaya Pipo Pony Club Admission Ticket in Pattaya:
$1.55
-
Pattaya Sheep Farm Ticket:
$2.19
-
Nails, Eyelash, and Waxing Beauty Experience at Ju's Nail:
$3.75
-
Ramayana Water Park Ticket in Pattaya:
$3.75
-
Wakeboarding Experience at Thai Wake Park in Pattaya:
$4.19
-
Pong Yang Adventure Park Experience:
$4.49
-
Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
-
Rejuv Salon Beauty Experiences at Sathon Bangkok:
$5.85
-
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Ticket in Pattaya:
$5.89
-
Sleep Salon & Nails Experience in Bangkok:
$6.15
-
Kanchanaburi Mallika City Ticket:
$6.19
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Phuket may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $5.70 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Koh Lanta may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $3.40 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
-
Cocktails (for Two)
$6.12
-
Beer
$2.60
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
Sample the Local Flavors in Koh Lanta
Also in Koh Lanta, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Koh Lanta, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta.
Related Articles for Phuket
Related Articles for Koh Lanta
