Which place is cheaper, Yichang 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 Yichang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Yichang, 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 Yichang?
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.
Yichang
Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.
Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!
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.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesYichang Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $139Yichang $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $139, while the average daily cost in Yichang is $74. 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 Yichang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $64Yichang $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $128Yichang $50
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Yichang
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Yichang? 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 $12Yichang $14
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)$9.42
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $11
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Arrival Transfer to Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- Private Phuket Airport Transfer to Hotel and Vice Versa: $13
- PHUKET Arrival Transfer-Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotels (Shared): $15
- Phuket Departure Transfer from Hotel to Phuket Airport (Shared): $15
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus) : $15
- Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $16
- Phuket Airport Departure Transfer – Domestic & International : $19
- Phuket Hotel to Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $19
- Phuket Airport Arrival Transfer – Domestic & International : $19
- Departure Transfer : Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport (Private): $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yichang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yichang:
- Private transfer from Yichang to Zhangjiajie: $290
- Yichang Airport Transfer Service, Yichang train station Pick up: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Yichang?
Prices for flights to both Yichang 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 $43Yichang $38
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)$9.08
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.34
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.83
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Bananas$0.79
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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: $53
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $57
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $57
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour and Hotel Pickup: $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $49Yichang $18
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)$79
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Thai Oil Massage$20
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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
Tours and Activities in Yichang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:
- Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
- Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
- From 5-Day Yangtze River Cruise to Chongqing: $679
- Yichang - Chongqing Yangtze Miracle Luxury 5D4N Cruise: $720
- From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $993
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.32Yichang $14
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)$6.28
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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 Yichang, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Yichang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yichang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yichang 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 Yichang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Yichang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Yichang?
Yichang has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Yichang, 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 Yichang?
Yichang 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 Yichang in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Yichang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.
In July, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Yichang. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Yichang fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Yichang this time of the year. In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Yichang during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Yichang receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
Yichang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Yichang. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Yichang 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Yichang in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Yichang. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Phuket is a little warmer than Yichang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Yichang fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
In the autumn, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Yichang. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yichang receives 134 hours of full sun.
Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Yichang. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Yichang 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Yichang in the Winter?
Both Yichang and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
In the winter, Phuket is much warmer than Yichang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Yichang averages at about 6°C (43°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Yichang during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Yichang receives 92 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Phuket usually receives more rain than Yichang. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Phuket is December to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Yichang 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Yichang in the Spring?
Both Yichang and Phuket during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Phuket is generally much warmer than Yichang. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Yichang fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the spring, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Yichang. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yichang receives 129 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Yichang. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Yichang receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Yichang 18°C (65°F)
Typical Weather for Yichang and Phuket
| Phuket | Yichang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.