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

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Hongcun?

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 Hongcun 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 Hongcun?

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.

Hongcun

When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.

The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.

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


Which place is cheaper, Hongcun 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 Hongcun is $67. 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 Hongcun in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Lanta $28
    Hongcun $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Lanta $56
    Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Hongcun

Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta or Hongcun? 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 Hongcun


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
    Hongcun $12
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

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Hongcun?

Prices for flights to both Hongcun 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
    Hongcun $33
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

Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.91
  • Breakfast of Dumplings
    $2.10

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Lanta $35
    Hongcun $17
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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Lanta $4.36
    Hongcun $14


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Lanta and Hongcun, we can see that Hongcun 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 Hongcun Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta or Hongcun?

Hongcun 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 Hongcun in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Hongcun. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lanta in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Hongcun averages at about 29°C (85°F).

Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Lanta 27°C (81°F) 
    Hongcun 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Hongcun in the Autumn?

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

In October, Koh Lanta is generally a little warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Hongcun. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Lanta 27°C (81°F) 
    Hongcun 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Hongcun in the Winter?

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

Hongcun can get quite cold in the winter. Koh Lanta is much warmer than Hongcun in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In January, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Lanta is January to April.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Lanta 27°C (80°F) 
    Hongcun 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Hongcun in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Koh Lanta is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lanta in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Hongcun averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in April than Hongcun. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Lanta 29°C (85°F) 
    Hongcun 17°C (62°F)

Typical Weather for Hongcun and Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta Hongcun
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 50 mm (2 in) 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 51 mm (2 in) 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 224 mm (8.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 262 mm (10.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 355 mm (14 in) 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 281 mm (11.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in) 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)