Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Phuket or Shenzhen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Shenzhen, 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 Shenzhen?
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.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $105Shenzhen $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $123. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $56Shenzhen $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $112Shenzhen $178
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Shenzhen? 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 $11Shenzhen $15
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)$8.18
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Ziplining Hanuman Experience in Phuket with Roundtrip Transfer (SHA Plus): $85
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Phuket HTL-APT (HKT): $27
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Phuket APT-HTL (HKT): $27
- Transfer to or from Phuket International Airport by Sedan: $17
- Transfer from Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotel: $21
- TAXI PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to PHUKET TOWN (SHA Plus): $30
- TAXI AIRPORT TRANSFER to RASSADA PIER: $25
- Simon Cabaret Phuket Show Included Tickets and Transfer: $28
- Siam Niramit Phuket Admission Ticket with Transfer Option: $44
- Shared Transfer from Phuket to Koh Tao by Coach and Catamaran: $59
- Shared Transfer Phuket International Airport (HKT) To Phuket City - Arrival: $33
- RoundTrip Priva Transfer Phuket Airport to Talang, Kathu or Muang: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- A Premium Airport Transfer Service, Meet us at the Arrival Hall!: $131
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Shenzhen Transfer: $71
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal - Arrival Private Transfer : $45
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Port - Round- Trip Private Transfer : $90
- Hong Kong Airport HKG to Hong Kong Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Hong Kong Airport Transfer: $177
- Hong Kong Disneyland: 1-Day Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $162
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Private Transfer: $30
- Hong Kong Private Departure Transfer: Hotel or Cruise Terminal to Airport: $62
- Hong Kong Private Transfer from Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Airport to Hong Kong: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 $22Shenzhen $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)$7.88
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Thai Noodles$2.45
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Bananas$0.68
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Pizza (for Two)$8.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $77
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $90
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $108
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $112
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $160
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $160
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $42Shenzhen $17
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$25
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$68
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Thai Oil Massage$17
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Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speed Boat: $43
- Activities In & Around Full Day Customizable Tour: $90
- Amazing Krabi Private 1 day tour from Phuket by VAN: $218
- James Bond Island Highlights Tour from Phuket with Lunch: $115
- Khai Island Half Day Tour by Speedboat from Phuket (SHA Plus): $61
- Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Tour with Seaview Lunch from Phuket: $68
- Whitewater Rafting & ATV Adventure Tour from Phuket including Lunch: $118
- Zipline Adventure 32 Platforms + Roller + Skywalk: $108
- 2 Hours Phuket Old Town Street Food Walking Tour: $45
- 2-Hour ATV Tour from Phuket: $77
- 2x Snorkelling Phi Phi, Maiton, Maya Bay, khai islands tour: $58
- 4 Waters Eco Adventure: $96
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line! Walk to the Peak: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Victoria Peak: Climb to the summit via the Mid-Levels escalato on an audio tour: $5.40
- Yau Ma Tei: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in the Heart of Kowloon: $5.40
- Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $14
- Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
- Lovely Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- [Entry After 6pm] sky100 Min. 2pax Ticket Offer (F-II_2P): $17
- Walking Tour in Hong Kong - Local Experience (New & Best) : $17
- TramOramic Sightseeing Tour plus 2-Day Tramways Ticket: $23
- sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck Tickets: $23
- Dukling Boat Tour in Victoria Harbour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.35Shenzhen $19
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)$5.46
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Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $77
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Phuket much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phuket would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phuket 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Phuket.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Shenzhen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Shenzhen?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Shenzhen, 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 Shenzhen?
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Shenzhen. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Phuket is around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 30°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the summer, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Shenzhen. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 231 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets less rain in July than Shenzhen. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Shenzhen in the Autumn?
Both Shenzhen and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
In October, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shenzhen during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 190 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Shenzhen. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Shenzhen in the Winter?
Both Shenzhen and Phuket during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Phuket is much warmer than Shenzhen in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the winter, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Shenzhen. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 140 hours of full sun.
Phuket usually gets more rain in January than Shenzhen. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Shenzhen in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Shenzhen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.
In the spring, Phuket is a little warmer than Shenzhen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Shenzhen during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 95 hours of full sun in the spring.
Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Phuket
| Phuket | Shenzhen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.