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

Should you visit Yichang or Koh Phi Phi?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yichang or Koh Phi Phi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Yichang or Koh Phi Phi?

Yichang

Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.

Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!

Koh Phi Phi

The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Yichang?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Yichang is $58, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $72. 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 Yichang and Koh Phi Phi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yichang $24
    Koh Phi Phi $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yichang $48
    Koh Phi Phi $80
Compare Hotels in Yichang and Koh Phi Phi

Looking for a hotel in Yichang or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Yichang


Hotels in Koh Phi Phi


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 Phi Phi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yichang $14
    Koh Phi Phi $6.89

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi

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


  • Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)
    $15
  • Longboat Taxi
    $2.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi

Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $22
  • Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $25
  • Superfast Transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi by Arisa Speed Boat: $28
  • One-Way Departure Transfer from Phi Phi Island (Speedboat) to Phuket Airport : $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Yichang or Koh Phi Phi?

Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi and Yichang 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
    Yichang $21
    Koh Phi Phi $11

Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi

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


  • Crepe
    $1.64
  • Sit Down Lunch
    $9.27
  • Casual Lunch
    $5.73
  • Coconut Donut
    $0.27
  • Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)
    $11
  • Sit Down Dinner
    $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yichang $18
    Koh Phi Phi $45

Tours and Activities in Yichang

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:

  • From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $761
  • Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
  • Private Tour: Essence of Yichang Day Tour: $165
  • Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
  • Yichang hotel/Sanxia Tourist Center/Maoping pier to Zhangjiajie: $290

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi

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


  • Kayak Rental
    $8.18

Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.

  • Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $13
  • Phuket Trick Eye 3D Museum Admission Ticket: $14
  • Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
  • Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $18
  • Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $20
  • Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $21
  • Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $27
  • Wonderful Phi Phi Islands Highlights Tour: $50
  • PHI PHI ISLAND - Sunrise Trip From Phi Phi Don By Phi Phi Local Tour: $53
  • Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57
  • Half Day & Sunset Phi Phi Island Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yichang $14
    Koh Phi Phi $5.66

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:


  • Mojito Bucket
    $14
  • Banana Daiquiri
    $5.46


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yichang and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi is more expensive. And not only is Yichang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yichang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yichang 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi than you might in Yichang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yichang Expensive? and Is Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Yichang or Koh Phi Phi?

Yichang has a larger population, and is about 480 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Yichang and Koh Phi Phi, 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 Yichang or Koh Phi Phi?

Yichang has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Phi Phi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Yichang or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Yichang as well as Koh Phi Phi. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.

In the summer, Yichang is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yichang in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Yichang this time of the year. In the summer, Yichang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi. Yichang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Yichang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yichang usually gets less rain in July than Koh Phi Phi. Yichang gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yichang 29°C (85°F) 
    Koh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Yichang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Yichang is generally cooler than Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Yichang average around 20°C (67°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during autumn. Yichang gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. In October, Yichang usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Yichang gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Phi Phi is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yichang 20°C (67°F) 
    Koh Phi Phi 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?

Both Koh Phi Phi and Yichang during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.

Yichang is much colder than Koh Phi Phi in the winter. The daily temperature in Yichang averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Yichang gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun.

Yichang usually gets less rain in January than Koh Phi Phi. Yichang gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yichang 6°C (43°F) 
    Koh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yichang and Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Yichang is much colder than Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yichang in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi this time of the year. Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi during spring. Yichang gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Yichang usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Yichang gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yichang 18°C (65°F) 
    Koh Phi Phi 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Yichang

Yichang Koh Phi Phi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Apr 18°C (65°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 318 mm (12.5 in)
Jun 27°C (80°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 279 mm (11 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 229 mm (9 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 262 mm (10.3 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 399 mm (15.7 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 304 mm (12 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Dec 8°C (47°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)