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

Should you visit Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shijiazhuang and Koh Tao 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: Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao?

Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang is the capital city of Hebei Province in China. It is a fairly young city, acting as the regional transport hub and economic center, though there are a few sights worth seeing. The city is also the largest pharmaceutical hub in China, as well as an important center for textile, IT, manufacturing, and chemical industries.

Koh Tao

With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.

This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.

Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Shijiazhuang?

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 Shijiazhuang is $91, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Shijiazhuang and Koh Tao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shijiazhuang $44
    Koh Tao $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shijiazhuang $88
    Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Shijiazhuang and Koh Tao

Looking for a hotel in Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao? 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 Shijiazhuang


Hotels in Koh Tao


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 Tao Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Shijiazhuang $27
    Koh Tao $9.98

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao

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


  • Motorbike Rental
    $5.97
  • Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry
    $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao?

Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Shijiazhuang 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
    Shijiazhuang $32
    Koh Tao $18

Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:


  • Sit Down Lunch (for One)
    $6.28
  • Breakfast
    $4.71
  • Casual Breakfast (for Two)
    $3.77
  • Fancy Dinner (for Two)
    $15
  • Pancake
    $2.20
  • American Breakfast (for Two)
    $8.79
  • Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)
    $8.48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao

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

  • Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
  • Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
  • Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
  • Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shijiazhuang $4.41
    Koh Tao $30

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao

For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Kayak Rental (One Hour)
    $7.85
  • Snorkel Rental
    $3.14
  • Kayak and Snorkel (2)
    $3.14

Tours and Activities in Koh Tao

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.

  • Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $24
  • Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
  • Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
  • Snorkelling Trip 5 Island Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nang yuan: $27
  • Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $27
  • No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
  • 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
  • Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
  • Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
  • Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
  • Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
  • CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shijiazhuang $5.21
    Koh Tao $8.22

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $2.04
  • Bottle of Wine
    $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shijiazhuang and Koh Tao, we can see that Shijiazhuang is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Shijiazhuang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shijiazhuang than you might in Koh Tao.

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


Which is Bigger, Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao?

Shijiazhuang has a larger population, and is about 1440 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Shijiazhuang and Koh Tao, 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 Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao?

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

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao in the Summer?

Both Koh Tao and Shijiazhuang during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.

Shijiazhuang is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Shijiazhuang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Shijiazhuang. Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tao. Shijiazhuang gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Shijiazhuang 27°C (81°F) 
    Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Shijiazhuang and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Shijiazhuang is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shijiazhuang in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Shijiazhuang usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Shijiazhuang gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Shijiazhuang 15°C (59°F) 
    Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Shijiazhuang as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Shijiazhuang in the winter. In January, Shijiazhuang is generally much colder than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Shijiazhuang average around -2°C (29°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Shijiazhuang gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Shijiazhuang -2°C (29°F) 
    Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Koh Tao in the Spring?

Both Koh Tao and Shijiazhuang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Shijiazhuang is much colder than Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Shijiazhuang averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In April, Shijiazhuang usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Shijiazhuang gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Shijiazhuang 15°C (60°F) 
    Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang Koh Tao
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Feb 1°C (33°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
May 21°C (71°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (78°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 25°C (76°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Oct 15°C (59°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 24°C (76°F) 276 mm (10.9 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 23°C (74°F) 380 mm (15 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)