Which place is cheaper, Nanjing or Similan Islands?
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 Similan Islands or Nanjing?
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 Nanjing 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 Nanjing?
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.
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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 Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Similan Islands Prices
Thailand PricesNanjing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySimilan Islands $219Nanjing $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Similan Islands is $219, while the average daily cost in Nanjing is $118. 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 Nanjing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSimilan Islands $79Nanjing $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSimilan Islands $158Nanjing $94
Compare Hotels in Similan Islands and Nanjing
Looking for a hotel in Similan Islands or Nanjing? 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 $113Nanjing $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- [Airport transfer] Nanjing Lukou International Airport ⇔ Nanjing city transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $27
- Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing City : $44
- Private Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing City Center: $94
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou from Nanjing City Center: $89
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Jinniuhu Wild Animal Park and City Hotels: $62
- Private Transfer Between Tangshan Hot Spring Resort and Nanjing Lukou Airport: $49
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to Zhenjiang City: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Similan Islands or Nanjing?
Prices for flights to both Nanjing 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 $72Nanjing $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Similan Islands $50Nanjing $9.41
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour with Xiaoling Tomb and Sun Yatsen Mausoleum : $124
- 6-Hour Private Tour of Xiaoling Tomb,City Wall & Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $160
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $168
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Flexible Private Nanjing Layover Tour: $171
- Flexible Yangzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $212
- Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $206
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySimilan Islands $11Nanjing $9.61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Nanjing, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Nanjing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nanjing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nanjing 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 Nanjing.
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 Nanjing Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Nanjing?
Nanjing 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 Nanjing in the Summer?
Both Nanjing 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 Nanjing in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Nanjing fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Nanjing 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 Nanjing. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 174 mm (6.9 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)Nanjing 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Similan Islands or Nanjing in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Nanjing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.
In the autumn, Similan Islands is much warmer than Nanjing. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nanjing averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Nanjing. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 44 mm (1.7 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)Nanjing 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Similan Islands or Nanjing in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Nanjing. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Nanjing can be very cold. In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Nanjing. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Nanjing fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Similan Islands usually gets more rain in January than Nanjing. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySimilan Islands 27°C (80°F)Nanjing 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Similan Islands or Nanjing in the Spring?
Both Nanjing 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 Nanjing in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Nanjing fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Nanjing. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 101 mm (4 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)Nanjing 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Nanjing and Similan Islands
| Similan Islands | Nanjing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 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.