Which place is cheaper, Xiamen or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Phuket or Xiamen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $136Xiamen $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $136, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $89. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $63Xiamen $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $126Xiamen $66
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Xiamen? 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 $12Xiamen $6.41
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)$9.21
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips: $79
- Zipline and ATV Skyline Adventure Phuket Include Pickup Transfer: $42
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to NATAI BEACH: $56
- Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak Hotel: $79
- TAXI PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to PHUKET TOWN (SHA Plus): $34
- TAXI PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to LAGUNA Beach Area (SHA Plus): $28
- TAXI AIRPORT TRANSFER to RASSADA PIER: $47
- Speedboat Transfer Phuket to Phi Phi, Tonsai Pier: $31
- Speedboat Transfer From Phuket To Koh Yao Yai/ Koh Yao Noi: $47
- Sky Rock Khao Lak Jungle Zipline Adventure with Transfer: $57
- Simon Cabaret Phuket with Round Trip Share Transfer: $26
- Similan Islands One day Tour All Exclusive (Transfer Khao Lak): $99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Combo: Overnight in Hakka Tulou plus 2-way transfers from Xiamen: $119
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $58
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer From Xiamen City to Quanzhou City: $79
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Nanjing Tulou: $115
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou: $115
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi: $89
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City: $32
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou: $110
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $42Xiamen $49
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)$8.87
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.22
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.76
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Bananas$0.77
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Pizza (for Two)$9.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- One Day Experience Cooking at Phuket Patong Thailand: $28
- Phuket City Tour with Sunset and Thai Cooking: $49
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $53
- Phuket City Tour with Phothong Ride and Cooking Class: $54
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $56
- Simply Thai Cooking Experience: $57
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $57
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $59
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $48Xiamen $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$28
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$77
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Thai Oil Massage$20
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Surfboard Rental$9.21
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Quad Bike ATV Ride – Ultimate Adventure: $60
- 12 Islands Overnight Tour: $204
- 2 Day Tour to James Bond Islands, Krabi and Phi Phi: $182
- 2x Snorkelling Phi Phi, Maiton, Maya Bay, khai islands tour: $72
- 3 Fun Dives King Cruiser Wreck and Koh DokMai for Certified diver: $170
- 3 Hour Zipline Adventure Park Experience: 65 Platforms: $107
- 3 Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speed Boat: $43
- 3 Khai Islands Tour- Snorkel, Swim & Relax (Half or Full Day): $34
- 3-Island Speedboat Tour: Racha Noi, Racha Yai & Maiton: $113
- 4 Element Day with Zipline Adventure Expedition: $78
- 4 Hours Jet Ski Experience Hopping To 9 Islands in Phuket: $235
- 4 Hours and 50km Jet Ski Tour to 6 Phuket Islands: $238
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
- Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
- Xiamen Gulangyu Island Half Day Tour: $83
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Highlight Tour-Gulangyu Island, Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Private Half-Day Tour to the Most Famous Scenic Jimei School Village in Xiamen: $106
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $124
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.15Xiamen $18
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)$6.14
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Beer$2.61
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: $19
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $29
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $53
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $88
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $135
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Xiamen, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Xiamen. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Phuket is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Xiamen averages at about 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Xiamen. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Xiamen in the Autumn?
Both Xiamen 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 Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 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)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Xiamen in the Winter?
Both Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Xiamen. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 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)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Xiamen in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.
In the spring, Phuket is a little warmer than Xiamen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Xiamen averages at about 20°C (69°F).
Xiamen 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 Xiamen. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 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)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Phuket
| Phuket | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (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.