Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Shenyang?
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 Shenyang or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Tao? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Shenyang or Koh Tao?
Shenyang
Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Shenyang Prices
China PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenyang $85Koh Tao $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenyang is $85, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Shenyang and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenyang $41Koh Tao $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenyang $82Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Shenyang and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Shenyang or Koh Tao? 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 Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shenyang $20Koh Tao $9.98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.97
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenyang or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Shenyang 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 dayShenyang $32Koh Tao $18
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.28
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Breakfast$4.71
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.77
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
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Pancake$2.20
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American Breakfast (for Two)$8.79
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenyang $7.81Koh Tao $30
Tours and Activities in Shenyang
For Shenyang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shenyang to Dandong: China North-eastern Border Day Tour: $350
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.85
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Snorkel Rental$3.14
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.14
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $24
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
- Koh Tao Island Puzzle and Treasure Hunt Adventure: $75
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenyang $5.91Koh Tao $8.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$2.04
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Bottle of Wine$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenyang and Koh Tao, we can see that Shenyang is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Shenyang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenyang than you might in Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenyang Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenyang or Koh Tao?
Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 2540 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Shenyang and Koh Tao, 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 Shenyang or Koh Tao?
Shenyang has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenyang and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Shenyang is around the same temperature as Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Shenyang averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Shenyang usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during summer. Shenyang gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenyang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shenyang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Tao. Shenyang gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShenyang 25°C (77°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Shenyang as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
In the autumn, Shenyang is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shenyang in October average around 10°C (51°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenyang this time of the year. In the autumn, Shenyang often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Shenyang gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Shenyang usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Shenyang gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year. October and November in Koh Tao is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShenyang 10°C (51°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao and Shenyang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Shenyang can be very cold during winter. In January, Shenyang is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Shenyang average around -11°C (13°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. Shenyang usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during winter. Shenyang gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Shenyang usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Shenyang gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShenyang -11°C (13°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Shenyang or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao and Shenyang during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
Shenyang is much colder than Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Shenyang averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Shenyang. In the spring, Shenyang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Shenyang gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.
Shenyang usually gets less rain in April than Koh Tao. Shenyang gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShenyang 10°C (50°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Shenyang
| Shenyang | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -11°C (13°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (19°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (19°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.