Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Similan Islands?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Similan Islands or Hangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Hangzhou 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: Similan Islands or Hangzhou?
Similan Islands
There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.
The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.
Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.
Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.
You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.
There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySimilan Islands $164Hangzhou $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Similan Islands is $164, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $65. 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 Similan Islands and Hangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSimilan Islands $68Hangzhou $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSimilan Islands $136Hangzhou $46
Compare Hotels in Similan Islands and Hangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Similan Islands or Hangzhou? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Similan Islands $98Hangzhou $8.11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- [Airport Transfer] Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport ⇔ Hangzhou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $29
- Wuzhen Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou : $87
- Water Town and West Lake Sightseeing with Hangzhou Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $217
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show with Private Transfer: $83
- Transfer from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to City Center: $55
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show VIP Seat Ticket with Pick-up Transfer: $82
- Private Transfer to Yiwu City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
- Private Transfer to Yellow Mountain from Hangzhou: $196
- Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
- Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou: $113
- Private Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport from Hangzhou: $129
- Private Transfer to Shanghai City from Hangzhou: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Similan Islands or Hangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Hangzhou and Similan Islands 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 daySimilan Islands $36Hangzhou $18
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.35
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Tour with Authentic Dinner: $127
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Authentic Dinner: $191
- Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town with Dinner and Boat Ride: $282
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Similan Islands $44Hangzhou $20
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hangzhou Private Day Tour of West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Tea Village: $199
- West Lake Private Tour with Boat Ride and Enduring Memories Night Show VIP Seat: $242
- 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options: $112
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Highlights Tour of Lingyin Temple and West Lake: $99
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Summit and Former Residence of Xueyan Hu Private Tour: $141
- A Depth-Tour to Explore Xixi Wetland Park in Hangzhou: $246
- All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Layover Tour: $190
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Best of A Comprehensive Tour of the City's Top Sights: $153
- China Academy of Art Architecture & Longjing Tea Plantation Private Tour: $212
- Cirque Du Soleil Ticket : $120
- Classic Hangzhou Two-Day Tour Plus Tea Plantation Exploration: $256
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySimilan Islands $9.35Hangzhou $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Hangzhou, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hangzhou 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands than you might in Hangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Similan Islands Expensive? and Is Hangzhou Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Hangzhou?
Hangzhou has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Similan Islands or Hangzhou in the Summer?
Both Hangzhou and Similan Islands during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Hangzhou in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Hangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Hangzhou. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySimilan Islands 28°C (82°F)Hangzhou 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Similan Islands or Hangzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Hangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.
In the autumn, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Hangzhou. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Hangzhou averages at about 19°C (66°F).
Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Hangzhou. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSimilan Islands 27°C (81°F)Hangzhou 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Similan Islands or Hangzhou in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Hangzhou. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Hangzhou can be very cold during winter. In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Hangzhou. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySimilan Islands 27°C (80°F)Hangzhou 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Similan Islands or Hangzhou in the Spring?
Both Hangzhou and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year.
Similan Islands is much warmer than Hangzhou in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Hangzhou fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hangzhou. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Hangzhou. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSimilan Islands 29°C (83°F)Hangzhou 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hangzhou and Similan Islands
| Similan Islands | Hangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.