Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Kanchanaburi?
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 Kanchanaburi or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays. 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Kanchanaburi Prices
Thailand PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKanchanaburi $58Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $58, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $22Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $44Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi or Whitsundays? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kanchanaburi $14Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $187
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $119
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
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Food Meals for one dayKanchanaburi $24Whitsundays $52
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kanchanaburi $10Whitsundays $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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 Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKanchanaburi $9.24Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kanchanaburi is in Asia and Whitsundays is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kanchanaburi or Whitsundays?
Whitsundays has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kanchanaburi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Whitsundays. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round.
In July, Kanchanaburi is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin January. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 29°C (84°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. Kanchanaburi usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Kanchanaburi gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Whitsundays. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kanchanaburi is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. In the autumn, Kanchanaburi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundaysin April. Kanchanaburi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Kanchanaburi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year.
In the winter, Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kanchanaburi in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi usually receives more sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Kanchanaburi gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin July. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Whitsundays in the Spring?
Both Whitsundays and Kanchanaburi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Kanchanaburi can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Kanchanaburi is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin October. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 32°C (89°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kanchanaburi. In the spring, Kanchanaburi often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin October. Kanchanaburi gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.
Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Kanchanaburi
| Kanchanaburi | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.