Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Shenzhen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Shenzhen or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Koh Tao can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Shenzhen or Koh Tao?
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $123Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $123, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Shenzhen and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $89Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $178Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen 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.Shenzhen $15Koh Tao $8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hong Kong Airport Transfer: $177
- Hong Kong Disneyland: 1-Day Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $162
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong City to Hong Kong Airport HKG in Luxury Van: $133
- A Premium Airport Transfer Service, Meet us at the Arrival Hall!: $131
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong Airport HKG to Hong Kong City in Business Car: $116
- Luxury Private Tesla Transfer: Hong Kong International Airport (From/To HKG): $114
- Transfer Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
- Transfer Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
- Private Airport Transfer Shenzhen Airport - Guangzhou: $106
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Round Trip Private Transfer: $94
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$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Shenzhen 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 dayShenzhen $20Koh Tao $9.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $77
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $90
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $108
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $112
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $160
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $160
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $161
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)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenzhen $17Koh Tao $26
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $86
- (Private class) Hong Kong gourmet baking experience class: Hong Kong-style egg tart + custard mooncake: $88
- 2.5-Hour Shenzhen City-Village Walking Tour: Back In The 90's & TikTok Influence: $51
- 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $263
- 4-Hour Small Group Kowloon Sightseeing Tour: $103
- 60 Minutes Virtual Reality Experience in Hong Kong: $37
- A Private Tour of Hong Kong with Mercedes-Benz: $275
- Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $38
- Aqua Luna: Evening Cruise at Victoria Harbour Hong Kong: $40
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
- Authentic Hong Kong Private Tour: $275
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $50
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)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
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: $24
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $277
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $19Koh Tao $7.14
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$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Koh Tao, we can see that Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Koh Tao?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 730 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen or Koh Tao?
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen or Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Shenzhen is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 30°C (85°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In Shenzhen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Shenzhen usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during summer. Shenzhen gets 231 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. Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 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 JulyShenzhen 30°C (85°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Shenzhen is around the same temperature as Koh Tao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In the autumn, Shenzhen often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Shenzhen gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Shenzhen usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 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 OctoberShenzhen 26°C (78°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao and Shenzhen 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.
In the winter, Shenzhen is cooler than Koh Tao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenzhen in January average around 16°C (60°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. Shenzhen usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during winter. Shenzhen gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Shenzhen usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 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 JanuaryShenzhen 16°C (60°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao and Shenzhen during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
In April, Shenzhen is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 23°C (73°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Shenzhen often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Shenzhen gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in April than Koh Tao. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 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 AprilShenzhen 23°C (73°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Shenzhen
| Shenzhen | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.