A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wuyuan vs. Koh Tao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wuyuan or Koh Tao?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Wuyuan and Koh Tao can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Wuyuan or Koh Tao?

Wuyuan

Wuyuan, China is a small city in the Jiangxi Province in the south central area of the country. The city acts as a transport hub for the province, with many main bus routes running through it. Wuyuan also acts as the main thoroughfare when traveling to local remote villages in the area. It is best to know some Mandarin as this region does not see many non-Mandarin speaking tourists, which also means you should expect some very friendly attention!

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Wuyuan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Wuyuan is $57, 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 Wuyuan and Koh Tao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wuyuan $26
    Koh Tao $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wuyuan $52
    Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Wuyuan and Koh Tao

Looking for a hotel in Wuyuan 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.

Hotels in Wuyuan


Hotels in Koh Tao


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wuyuan $13
    Koh Tao $8.67

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:


  • Motorbike Rental
    $5.18
  • Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry
    $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Wuyuan or Koh Tao?

Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Wuyuan 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Wuyuan $20
    Koh Tao $9.21
Typical Food Prices in Wuyuan

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wuyuan:


  • Gummy Candy
    $0.28
  • Cookies
    $0.69

Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:


  • Sit Down Lunch (for One)
    $5.46
  • Breakfast
    $4.09
  • Casual Breakfast (for Two)
    $3.27
  • Fancy Dinner (for Two)
    $13
  • Pancake
    $1.91
  • American Breakfast (for Two)
    $7.64
  • Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)
    $7.36

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wuyuan $19
    Koh Tao $26

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao

For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Kayak Rental (One Hour)
    $6.82
  • Snorkel Rental
    $2.73
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wuyuan $14
    Koh 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:


  • Beer
    $1.77
  • Bottle of Wine
    $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wuyuan and Koh Tao, we can see that Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Wuyuan or Koh Tao?

Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan or Koh Tao in the Summer?

Both Koh Tao and Wuyuan 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.

Wuyuan is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Wuyuan averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Wuyuan. In July, Wuyuan usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Wuyuan gets 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Wuyuan 30°C (85°F) 
    Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Wuyuan or Koh Tao in the Autumn?

Both Koh Tao and Wuyuan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.

In the autumn, Wuyuan is cooler than Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wuyuan in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wuyuan usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Wuyuan gets 82 mm (3.2 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Wuyuan 20°C (68°F) 
    Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Wuyuan or Koh Tao in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wuyuan and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Wuyuan is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Wuyuan average around 6°C (43°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In January, Wuyuan usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Wuyuan gets 63 mm (2.5 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Wuyuan 6°C (43°F) 
    Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Wuyuan or Koh Tao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wuyuan as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.

Wuyuan is cooler than Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Wuyuan averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Wuyuan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Wuyuan usually gets more rain in April than Koh Tao. Wuyuan gets 238 mm (9.4 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Wuyuan 18°C (64°F) 
    Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Wuyuan

Wuyuan Koh Tao
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 123 mm (4.9 in) 23°C (74°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 174 mm (6.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 18°C (64°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 25°C (78°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 270 mm (10.6 in) 25°C (78°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 192 mm (7.6 in) 24°C (76°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 26°C (78°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 276 mm (10.9 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 380 mm (15 in)
Dec 8°C (47°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)