A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Tiger Leaping Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Phuket or Tiger Leaping Gorge?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Tiger Leaping Gorge, 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 Tiger Leaping Gorge?

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.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

One of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge gets its name from legend, where a tiger used a great rock in the center of the gorge as a stepping stone to leap from one side to the other. It is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery on either side with the Yangtze River rushing down through its center. Visitors come to Tiger Leaping Gorge to hike and witness its natural beauty.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.


Which place is cheaper, Tiger Leaping Gorge or Phuket?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Phuket Prices
    Thailand Prices
    Tiger Leaping Gorge Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Phuket $139
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $54

The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $139, while the average daily cost in Tiger Leaping Gorge is $54. 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 Tiger Leaping Gorge in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phuket $64
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phuket $128
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $26
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Tiger Leaping Gorge

Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Tiger Leaping Gorge? 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.

Hotels in Phuket


Hotels in Tiger Leaping Gorge


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 $12
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:


  • Longtail Taxi (for Two)
    $9.42
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    $7.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:

  • Hanuman World Phuket Round Trip Transfer Extra Zone: $95
  • Lion Land Phuket Entry Ticket with Private Hotel Transfer: $69
  • Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips: $80
  • Ziplines 30 platforms & Private Transfer RoundTrips: $94
  • (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $11
  • ATV Bike 1 hr + Zipline Adventure 35 platforms with meal and Free Transfer : $160
  • ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer : $160
  • ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $135
  • Andamanda Phuket Water Park Ticket Include Transfers: $84
  • Andamanda Phuket Water Park Tickets with Transfers: $116
  • Andamanda Water Park Phuket Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $75
  • Arrival Phuket Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Phuket: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Tiger Leaping Gorge?

Prices for flights to both Tiger Leaping Gorge 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 day
    Phuket $43
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $28
Typical Food Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:


  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $9.08
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.34
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $13
  • Thai Noodles
    $2.83
  • Bananas
    $0.79
  • Pizza (for Two)
    $9.42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.

  • Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $43
  • Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes : $44
  • Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
  • Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $52
  • Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $54
  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $57
  • Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour and Hotel Pickup: $58
  • Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $58
  • Carnival Entertainment and Dinner Experience in Phuket: $59
  • Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Flavours of the South Food Tour: $59
  • Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phuket $49
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $15
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)
    $79
  • Thai Oil Massage
    $20
  • Surfboard Rental
    $9.42

Tours and Activities in Phuket

Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self Guided Scavenger Hunts and Gamified Tours: $4.75
  • Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $8.05
  • Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Aquarium Phuket Admission Ticket: $14
  • Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $17
  • Aquaria Phuket Tickets and 4D Trickeye Museum Combo Deal: $17
  • Aquaria Phuket and 4D Trickeye Museum Experience Ticket: $17
  • Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
  • Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $21
  • Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $21
  • Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $21
  • Patong Beach Parasailing and Jet Skiing Experience Shared: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phuket $7.32
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $6.46
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)
    $6.28
  • Beer
    $2.67

Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket

Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $41
  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $55
  • Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $89
  • Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $113
  • Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $138
  • Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Tiger Leaping Gorge, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Tiger Leaping Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tiger Leaping Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tiger Leaping Gorge 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 Tiger Leaping Gorge.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Tiger Leaping Gorge Expensive?.