Which place is cheaper, Lhasa or Kanchanaburi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kanchanaburi or Lhasa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kanchanaburi and Lhasa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kanchanaburi or Lhasa?
Kanchanaburi
If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.
Lhasa
Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
-
Kanchanaburi Prices
Thailand PricesLhasa Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKanchanaburi $58Lhasa $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $58, while the average daily cost in Lhasa is $91. 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 Kanchanaburi and Lhasa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $22Lhasa $40
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $44Lhasa $80
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Lhasa
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi or Lhasa? 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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kanchanaburi $14Lhasa $2.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $99
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $187
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $119
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Lhasa?
Prices for flights to both Lhasa and Kanchanaburi 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 dayKanchanaburi $24Lhasa $46
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Casual Lunch$4.71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class: $39
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kanchanaburi $10Lhasa $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Entry Park TreeHouse$6.28
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Best Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi River: $27
- Discovery Bike Tour: $18
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $35
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Guided Walking Tour in History & Legends: $174
- Half Day Kanchanaburi Bike Tour with History and Local Life: $53
- Kanchanaburi Erawan Waterfall and Train Along Death Railway Tour: $178
- Kanchanaburi Tour Erawan Waterfall Temples and Giant Rain Tree: $112
- Kanchanaburi Tour Hellfire Pass History tour: $108
- Kanchanaburi Tour: Erawan Waterfall and Death Railway: $112
- Kanchanaburi Tree Top Adventure Park Tours: $45
- Private Tour: Kanchanaburi Local Thai Life and City Discovery: $191
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,185
- 17-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp: $3,759
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKanchanaburi $9.24Lhasa $7.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Lhasa, we can see that Lhasa is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Lhasa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lhasa than you might in Kanchanaburi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kanchanaburi Expensive? and Is Lhasa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Lhasa?
Lhasa has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi and Lhasa, 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.
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.