Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Zhangjiajie, 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 Zhangjiajie?
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.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
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 Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesZhangjiajie Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $139Zhangjiajie $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $139, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $79. 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 Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $64Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $128Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Zhangjiajie? 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 $12Zhangjiajie $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)$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:
- From Krabi: Phuket Transfer with Phi Phi Longtail Boat Tour: $421
- Phuket Jet Ski Tour to 5-8 Islands with Pickup and Transfer: $221
- Jet Ski Island Hopping Adventure from Phuket Lunch and Transfers: $209
- Flying Hanuman Ziplining Experience in Phuket with Return Transfer: $174
- 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
- Freedom Party Boat Cruise By HYPE Boat Club Phuket - Include Pickup Transfer: $153
- From Krabi : One Way Private Transfer Phuket,Khaolak and More: $150
- ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $135
- Private Airport Arrival Transfer : Airport to Hotel in Krabi: $135
- Arrival Private Transfers from Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City: $131
- Phuket Airport Transfers : Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City in Luxury Van: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $322
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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 $43Zhangjiajie $36
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: $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $49Zhangjiajie $23
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:
- 3 Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speed Boat: $43
- Activities In & Around Full Day Customizable Tour: $90
- Best of Phi Phi Island Adventure Day Tour with Lunch from Phuket: $50
- Experience Patong Boxing Stadium Tickets: $68
- Experience Patong Boxing Stadium Tickets: $68
- James Bond Island Adventure Full Day Speedboat/Big Boat Phuket : $63
- Patong Trolley Tours: $55
- Phi Phi Islands Premium Speedboat Adventure Day Tour from Phuket: $67
- Phuket Night Food Walking tour : $106
- Phuket Scenic Horseback Riding Adventure : $70
- Phuket Scuba Diving Tour with Transportation: $172
- Aeolos Catamaran Tour to Coral & Racha Islands + Lunch: $80
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Zhangjiajie Pandora Tour to Avatar Hallelujah Mountain: $7.00
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Ticket Booking: $16
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance Ticket Transportation: $42
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon Tickets Booking: $48
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Private or Shared Day Tour: $50
- Fox Fairy Show VIP ticket with round trip private transport: $52
- Charming Xiangxi Show VIP ticket with round trip transport: $52
- Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Ticket Booking: $55
- One Day Mini Group Tour to Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain: $63
- Mini Group Tour: Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountains: $66
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tickets Booking: $69
- Mini Group Day Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountains: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.32Zhangjiajie $16
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 Zhangjiajie, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Zhangjiajie?
Phuket has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Zhangjiajie, 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 Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
Both Zhangjiajie and Phuket during the summer 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 around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Zhangjiajie. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.
In the autumn, Phuket is a little warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 19°C (65°F).
Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Zhangjiajie. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Phuket is generally much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Zhangjiajie. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
Both Zhangjiajie and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
Phuket is much warmer than Zhangjiajie in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In April, Phuket usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Phuket
| Phuket | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.