Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Tianjin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tianjin or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin 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: Tianjin or Koh Tao?
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
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 dayTianjin $76Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $76, 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 Tianjin and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $34Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $68Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin 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.Tianjin $36Koh Tao $8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Airport: $280
- Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Hotels : $225
- One Way Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing with Guide: $216
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Tianjin Hotels to Mutianyu Great Wall: $212
- Private Transfer from Tianjin International Airport to Beijing Downtown: $208
- Private One Way Tianjin Port Transfer to Beijing including Great Wall Sightseeing: $198
- Tianjin Port Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $192
- Private Tianjin Port Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $178
- Private Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall from Tianjin City: $178
- Private Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Great Wall of China with Beijing Drop-Off: $168
- Private PEK Airport Departure Transfer from Tianjin with Bullet Train Experience: $168
- Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
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 Tianjin or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Tianjin 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 dayTianjin $20Koh Tao $9.21
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.Tianjin $10Koh Tao $26
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
- From Tianjin Xingang Port: Private 2-Day Beijing Tour: $550
- Huangyaguan Great Wall Layover Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $265
- Mutianyu Great Wall Trip with English Speaking Driver from Tianjin Cruise Port: $261
- One Day Huangyaguan Great Wall And Qing Tomb Tour Of Beijing: $260
- Private Beijing Custom Day Tour from Tianjin City by Bullet Train: $278
- Private Beijing Shopping Tour with Bullet Train Experience from Tianjin: $269
- Private Great Wall Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $248
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
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 dayTianjin $11Koh 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 Tianjin and Koh Tao, we can see that Tianjin 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin 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 Tianjin Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Koh Tao?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 2730 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin 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 Tianjin or Koh Tao?
Tianjin 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 Tianjin or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the summer 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 summer, Tianjin is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tianjin in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during summer. Tianjin gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Tianjin. In July, Tianjin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Tao. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 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 JulyTianjin 27°C (80°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Tianjin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
In October, Tianjin is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Tianjin average around 15°C (58°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Tianjin. In the autumn, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Tianjin gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun.
Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tianjin usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTianjin 15°C (58°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tianjin can be very cold during winter. Tianjin is much colder than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tianjin usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during winter. Tianjin gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTianjin -3°C (27°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
In the spring, Tianjin is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tianjin in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In the spring, Tianjin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Tianjin gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun.
Tianjin usually gets less rain in April than Koh Tao. Tianjin gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTianjin 14°C (58°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Tianjin
| Tianjin | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (31°F) | 4 mm (0.2 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.