A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Qingdao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Similan Islands or Qingdao?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Qingdao 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: Similan Islands or Qingdao?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

Qingdao

Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Qingdao?

Qingdao has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Qingdao in the Summer?

Both Qingdao and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year.

In the summer, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Qingdao averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Qingdao during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Qingdao receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Qingdao in the Autumn?

Both Qingdao and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Qingdao, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Qingdao. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Qingdao receives 220 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Qingdao. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Qingdao in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Qingdao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Qingdao. Similan Islands is much warmer than Qingdao in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Qingdao fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Qingdao during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Qingdao receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Qingdao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Qingdao. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Similan Islands is much warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Qingdao averages at about 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Qingdao. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Qingdao receives 224 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Qingdao. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Qingdao and Similan Islands