Which place is cheaper, Pingyao or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Phuket or Pingyao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Pingyao, 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 Pingyao?
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.
Pingyao
Pingyao is a small city in the Shanxi Province of China, dating back over 2700 years. The city is most famous for their old town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town is one of the best preserved ancient walled cities in the world dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The climate in Pingyao is influenced by monsoons, and therefore gets hot and humid summers and chillier springs. Autumn is a great time to visit as temperatures are fairly mild-in the 50-60's Fahrenheit- and you can avoid the heavy rains of summer. Winter is also a pleasant time to visit, especially since temperatures tend not to dip below 30 and there is not much snow or bad weather.
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 China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
-
Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesPingyao Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $132Pingyao $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $132, while the average daily cost in Pingyao is $73. 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 Pingyao in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $61Pingyao $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $122Pingyao $50
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Pingyao
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Pingyao? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Pingyao $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
-
Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.95
-
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pingyao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Pingyao:
-
Taxi to Train Station$1.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pingyao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pingyao:
- Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Wutaishan from Pingyao: $190
- Private Transfer Servcie to Mianshan (Mian Mountain) from Pingyao: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Pingyao?
Prices for flights to both Pingyao 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPhuket $41Pingyao $36
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
-
Casual Dinner (for Two)$8.63
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.07
-
Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
-
Thai Noodles$2.69
-
Bananas$0.75
-
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
Typical Food Prices in Pingyao
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pingyao are as follows:
-
Casual Lunch (for 2)$5.38
-
Mango Juice$0.75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $46Pingyao $20
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$27
-
Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$75
-
Thai Oil Massage$19
-
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pingyao
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Pingyao are as follows:
-
All Day Bike Rental (for 2)$2.99
-
Temple Entrance Fee (for 2)$7.47
-
Bike Parking Fee (for 2)$0.60
Tours and Activities in Pingyao
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pingyao are as follows:
- Shuanglin Temple Tour or Entry Ticket Only Option: $18
- 3-Hour Private Walking Tour of Pingyao Ancient City: $76
- All Inclusive Pingyao Private Tour to Qiao Family Compound and Shuanglin Temple: $142
- Pingyao Ancient City Full-Day Walking Tour: $145
- 1-Day Pingyao Ancient Town Sightseeing Walking Tour: $170
- Pingyao Day Tour: Wang Family Mansion and Zhangbi Ancient Castle: $171
- Pingyao Day Tour: Wang's Family Compound and Shuanglin Temple: $175
- One Day Tour Exploration of Pingyao Old Town and Wang Family Mansion: $183
- Pingyao in One Day: Including City Highlights and Shuanglin Temple Private Tour: $204
- Private Day Tour: Pingyao Highlights of Old Town and City Wall: $205
- 1-Day Pingyao tour to Wang Family's Compound and Zhangbi Ancient Fortress: $206
- Private Tour of Pingyao Ancient City, Qiao's Family Compound,Shuanglin Temple: $221
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.95Pingyao $14
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)$5.97
-
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 Pingyao, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Pingyao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pingyao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pingyao 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 Pingyao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Pingyao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Pingyao?
Phuket has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pingyao. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Pingyao, 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.