Which place is cheaper, Xiamen or Koh Tarutao?
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 Tarutao or Xiamen?
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 Koh Tarutao and Xiamen. 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: Koh Tarutao or Xiamen?
Koh Tarutao
While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Koh Tarutao Prices
Thailand PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Tarutao $137Xiamen $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $137, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $84. 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 Tarutao and Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Tarutao $57Xiamen $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Tarutao $114Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao or Xiamen? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Tarutao $39Xiamen $6.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen and Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao $56Xiamen $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Tarutao $17Xiamen $16
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport : $155
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $164
- From 3-Day Tulou and Gulangyu Island Tour: $589
- Fujian Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Tianluokeng and Daping Lou: $194
- Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Yunshuiyao Ancient Village and Hekeng Tulou : $203
- Half-Day Private Tour to Xiamen Gulangyu Island Highlights: $192
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Tarutao $8.08Xiamen $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Xiamen, we can see that Koh Tarutao is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Tarutao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Tarutao than you might in Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Tarutao Expensive? and Is Xiamen Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tarutao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Xiamen in the Summer?
Both Xiamen and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year.
Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Xiamen in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In July, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Xiamen in the Autumn?
Both Xiamen and Koh Tarutao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Tarutao in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in October than Xiamen. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Koh Tarutao. May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Xiamen in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round.
In January, Koh Tarutao is generally much warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (80°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
In January, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Tarutao 27°C (80°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Xiamen in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Xiamen. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Xiamen in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Tarutao usually gets less rain in April than Xiamen. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. May and October in Koh Tarutao is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Tarutao 29°C (85°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Koh Tarutao
| Koh Tarutao | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.