Which city is cheaper, Koh Tao or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Koh Tao, 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.
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.
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $87, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $31. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Phuket and Koh Tao in more detail.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Koh Tao, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Tao.
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