Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Koh Lipe?
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 Koh Lipe or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Chengdu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Koh Lipe or Chengdu?
Koh Lipe
Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Koh Lipe Prices
Thailand PricesChengdu Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lipe $120Chengdu $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lipe is $120, while the average daily cost in Chengdu 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 Lipe and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lipe $50Chengdu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lipe $100Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Koh Lipe and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lipe or Chengdu? 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: Koh Lipe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lipe $21Chengdu $6.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:
- Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Airport transfer between Tianfu(TFU) and Chengdu downtown: $45
- Chengdu 3-Day Self-Guided Jiuzhaigou&Huanglong with Transfer: $412
- Chengdu Airport (TFU) to Chengdu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $65
- Chengdu Airport Private Transfer With English Speaking Driver: $35
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Tour with Guide or Transfer: $20
- Chengdu Private Transfer from Chengdu central to Chengdu Airport (CTU): $43
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu City - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Chengdu Hotels private transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lipe or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Koh Lipe 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 dayKoh Lipe $52Chengdu $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
- Half day Sichuan Cuisine Cooking Class Tour(Cooking 3 dishes): $75
- Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $75
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
- Half-Day Private Hot-Pot Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $80
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $80
- Chengdu Food Tour with Wenshu Yuan Monastery Visit: $82
- Half-Day Sichuan Cooking Class Experience in Chengdu: $84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lipe $27Chengdu $16
Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $25
- Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $27
- Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $29
- Private Experience with Fishing, Barbeque, Sashimi and Snorkeling: $78
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $127
- Koh Lipe Beginner Scuba Diving Half Day Tour with Lunch: $131
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Customize Your China Tour 2024/2025: $5.00
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
- Chengdu Museum Tours & Tickets : $10
- Ticket reservation for Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base: $15
- Private Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket and Guide opt: $16
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Optional Private Tour: $16
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Panda Base Tour with Guide Option: $17
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $17
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum Ticket for Adult: $18
- Panda Breeding Base Tickets Booking: $19
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Ticket pre-booking: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lipe $9.42Chengdu $3.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lipe and Chengdu, we can see that Koh Lipe is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe than you might in Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lipe Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
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.