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

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Harbin?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Harbin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Koh Lanta or Harbin?

Koh Lanta

Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.

Harbin

Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.


Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Koh Lanta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $64, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Koh Lanta and Harbin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Lanta $28
    Harbin $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Lanta $56
    Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Harbin

Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta or Harbin? 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 Koh Lanta


Hotels in Harbin


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 Lanta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Lanta $6.52
    Harbin $1.52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta

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


  • Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta
    $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin

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

  • 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
  • Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
  • Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
  • Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
  • Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
  • Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
  • Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
  • Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
  • Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Harbin?

Prices for flights to both Harbin and Koh Lanta 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
    Koh Lanta $21
    Harbin $24
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:


  • Casual Breakfast
    $5.02
  • Casual Lunch
    $8.48
  • Casual Dinner
    $14
  • Fancy Dinner (for Two)
    $53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin

For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
  • Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
  • Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
  • Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
  • Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Lanta $35
    Harbin $53
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta

Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Emerald Cave Tour
    $22
  • Yoga Session (1 Hour)
    $11

Tours and Activities in Harbin

For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
  • Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
  • Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
  • Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
  • Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
  • 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
  • Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
  • Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
  • Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
  • Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
  • Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
  • Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Lanta $4.36
    Harbin $7.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin

Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Lanta and Harbin, we can see that Harbin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Harbin?

Harbin has a larger population, and is about 530 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Harbin, 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 Koh Lanta or Harbin?

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

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Harbin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Harbin. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Koh Lanta is a little warmer than Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite rainy in Harbin. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Koh Lanta is the rainy season.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Lanta 27°C (81°F) 
    Harbin 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Harbin in the Autumn?

Both Harbin and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year.

In the autumn, Koh Lanta is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lanta in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In October, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Harbin. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Lanta 27°C (81°F) 
    Harbin 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Harbin in the Winter?

Both Harbin and Koh Lanta during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. In January, Koh Lanta is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (80°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).

Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Lanta 27°C (80°F) 
    Harbin -18°C (-0°F)

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Harbin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round.

Koh Lanta is much warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Harbin. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Lanta 29°C (85°F) 
    Harbin 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Harbin and Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta Harbin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 50 mm (2 in) -18°C (-0°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) -14°C (7°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 51 mm (2 in) -3°C (26°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 224 mm (8.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 262 mm (10.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 355 mm (14 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 281 mm (11.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in) -4°C (24°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) -14°C (7°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)