Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Qingdao?
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 Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan, 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: Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Qingdao Prices
China PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $73Koh Pha Ngan $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $73, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $61. 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 Qingdao and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $27Koh Pha Ngan $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $54Koh Pha Ngan $54
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan? 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: Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Koh Pha Ngan $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $54
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $53
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.42
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Ferry Ride$16
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Gas for Scooter$3.45
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $35Koh Pha Ngan $20
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.26
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.26
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Ice Cream$0.63
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Juice$1.88
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3 Spring Rolls$0.94
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2 Pancakes$1.88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Koh Pha Ngan $19
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
- Half Day Tour and Trek to Fushan Mountain: $170
- Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum: $200
- Alternative City Tour with Navy Museum, Beer Street and TV Tower, Lunch Included: $200
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Koh Pha Ngan $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$8.16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Qingdao is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Qingdao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Qingdao than you might in Koh Pha Ngan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan?
Qingdao has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Pha Ngan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Qingdao during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
In the summer, Qingdao is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Qingdao in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQingdao 25°C (77°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Qingdao is generally cooler than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 17°C (62°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQingdao 17°C (62°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Qingdao in the winter. Qingdao is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQingdao -0°C (32°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Qingdao is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Qingdao in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQingdao 12°C (53°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.