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 $132
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $57

The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $132, while the average daily cost in Tiger Leaping Gorge is $57. 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 $61
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phuket $122
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $28
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 $18
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:

  • (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $17
  • ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer: $153
  • Airport Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $113
  • Andamanda Phuket Water Park Tickets with Transfers: $110
  • Andamanda Water Park Phuket Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $75
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City: $125
  • Arrival Transfer Phuket Airport HKT to Talang, Kathu, Muang: $43
  • Comfortable Private Phuket Airport to Hotel Arrival Transfer: $26
  • Erawan Patong Seaview Zipline Adventure with Transfers: $64
  • Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platforms with Transfer RoundTrips: $152
  • Hanuman World Phuket Rainforest Zipline Experience with Transfers: $53
  • Hanuman World Phuket Round Trip Transfer Extra Zone: $75

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 $41
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $30
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
  • Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $50
  • Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $51
  • Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $51
  • Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $55
  • Coral Island Premium Yacht Half Day Tour with Sunset Dinner: $55
  • Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Phuket City Tour with Sunset and Thai Cooking: $61
  • Hands on Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $61
  • Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $61
  • Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour Option in Bang Tao Phuket: $61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phuket $46
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $16
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:

  • Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.62
  • Rock Beach Swing Phuket Scenic Photo Spot Ticket: $14
  • Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $16
  • Ultimate Virtual Reality Gaming Park Ticket at VAR Live in Phuket: $17
  • Rock Beach Swing Ticket with Karon Viewpoint in Phuket: $20
  • Aquaria Phuket Ticket: $21
  • Phuket City Tour Sightseeing and Night Market Everyday: $23
  • Phuket Nightlife Tour, Free Entry Bar and Club Crawl: $24
  • Simon Cabaret Show Phuket (Ticket Only): $24
  • Simon Cabaret Phuket Show Admission Ticket: $24
  • Ultimate Fun Experience Ticket from Phuket's Baan Teelanka: $24
  • Phuket City Tour with Famous Landmark and Insta Hunt Challenge: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phuket $6.95
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $6.88
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 and Lunch: $52
  • Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $85
  • Half Day Rum Distillery Tour & Sunset Viewpoint: $112


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?.