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

Should you visit Amman or Koh Samui?

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 Amman and Koh Samui. 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: Amman or Koh Samui?

Amman

Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.

Koh Samui

The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Samui or Amman?

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 Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in Koh Samui is $75. 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 Amman and Koh Samui in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amman $49
    Koh Samui $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amman $98
    Koh Samui $50
Compare Hotels in Amman and Koh Samui

Looking for a hotel in Amman or Koh Samui? 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 Amman


Hotels in Koh Samui


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: Amman Hotel Prices and Koh Samui Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amman $24
    Koh Samui $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman

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


  • Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.71
  • RIde to Airport
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman

Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Amman Private Transfer to Tel Aviv with VIP Service: $285
  • Transfer to Petra from Amman /Amman Airport: $250
  • Petra or WadiRum transfer to/from Amman, Airport, Madaba, Deadsea: $240
  • Queen Alia International Airport Transfers To Amman, Petra.: $235
  • Private Transfer From Amman Airport To Petra: $190
  • Private Transfer From Amman Airport To Petra: $190
  • From Dead Sea and Petra Day Trip with Transfers: $187
  • Amman Private Transfer to Jerusalem with VIP Service: $175
  • From Amman Transfer to Petra: $169
  • Amman Airport to Petra Shuttle, Comfortable & Affordable Transfer: $160
  • Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Aqaba Airport: $153
  • Petra Transfer to and from Airport: $150

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:


  • Scooter Rental
    $2.25
  • Gas for Scooter
    $1.20
  • Airport Taxi
    $13
  • Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach
    $13
  • Minibus- Airport to Chaweng
    $3.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui

Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ziplining Koh Samui at Hawk Adventure with Transfer: $52
  • Thrilling 2 Hour ATV Jungle with Hotel Transfer from Koh Samui: $85
  • The Red Baron Luxury Yacht Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $162
  • The Jungle Club or The Roof Samui Table Reservation with Transfer: $91
  • Smooth Koh Samui to Krabi Catamaran and Bus or Van Transfer: $51
  • Smooth Koh Phangan to Phuket Transfer by Catamaran and Bus: $64
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Taling Ngam: $68
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Samui City: $49
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Lamai: $38
  • Private Transfer from Mae Nam to Samui (USM) Airport: $68
  • Private Transfer from Lamai to Samui (USM) Airport: $38
  • Private Transfer from Ko Samui island hotels to Ko Samui Port: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Koh Samui?

Prices for flights to both Koh Samui and Amman 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
    Amman $58
    Koh Samui $37
Typical Food Prices in Amman

For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $4.23
  • Tea
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman

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

  • private cooking with local chef: $40
  • Guided Food Tour in Downtown: $70
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
  • Women-Led Food Tour Through Amman’s Culinary Scene: $80
  • The Best Culture&Food Tour With Majd The Local Guide: $81
  • Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $107
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience: $140

Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui

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


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $6.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui

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

  • Half Day Pig Island Snorkeling Trip with Sunset Dinner from Samui: $58
  • Samui Suppers Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Coconut Corners Samui Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Thai Cooking Class from Koh Samui with Local Market: $76
  • Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $76
  • Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Micro Organic Garden: $76
  • Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Market Tour: $76
  • Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise: $77
  • Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group: $79
  • Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $86
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui The Red Baron: $107
  • Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $109

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amman $32
    Koh Samui $12

Tours and Activities in Amman

For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Night Private Overnight Dead Sea Independent Tour from Amman: $145
  • 1-Night Private Overnight Madaba Independent Tour from Amman: $170
  • 1Day Private spiritual Tour to Amman Madaba Baptism site Dead Sea: $100
  • 2 Day Madaba Mount Nebo Mujib Kerak Dana Shobak and Petra Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Baptism and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Shobak Castle and Kerak Castle Private Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Baptism Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Bubble Experience: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195

Tours and Activities in Koh Samui

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

  • 2 Hours ATV Quad Bike Popular Tour From Koh Samui: $97
  • 2-Hour Koh Samui ATV Quad Tour: $56
  • 2.5-Hours ATV Jungle Adventure Experience from Koh Phangan: $106
  • 3 Hour ATV Secret Waterfall Adventure in Koh Samui: $107
  • 4 Hour Ultimate ATV Jungle Tour in Koh Samui Lunch Included: $137
  • 4WD Jungle Safari Tour in Koh Samui with Lunch: $46
  • 6 Hours Elephant Care and Jungle Tour by 4WD in Koh Samui: $61
  • ATV 1.5 Hours Jungle Safari Tour On Koh Phangan: $74
  • ATV 2 hrs. Jungle Adventure on the Mountain Way in Koh Samui: $61
  • Adventure Kayaking at Angthong Marine Park: $113
  • Ang Thong Islands Luxury Small Group Tour From Koh Samui: $143
  • Ang Thong Marine Park Adventure with Kayaking and Lunch: $63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amman $14
    Koh Samui $5.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Amman

Also in Amman, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Full Day Tour of Ajloun Castle with Cable Car and Wine Tasting: $127


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Koh Samui, we can see that Amman is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amman is in Middle East and Koh Samui is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui 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 Amman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amman than you might in Koh Samui.

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


Which is Bigger, Amman or Koh Samui?

Amman has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Koh Samui, 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 Amman or Koh Samui?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Amman or Koh Samui in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Koh Samui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Amman usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Amman is around the same temperature as Koh Samui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amman in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Amman 25°C (77°F) 
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Amman or Koh Samui in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amman as well as Koh Samui. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year.

Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. October to December in Koh Samui is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. Amman usually gets less rain in October than Koh Samui. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Amman is generally cooler than Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 20°C (68°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Amman 20°C (68°F) 
    Koh Samui 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Amman or Koh Samui in the Winter?

Both Koh Samui and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February. It's quite rainy in Amman. In January, Amman usually receives more rain than Koh Samui. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Amman is much colder than Koh Samui in the winter. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Koh Samui fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Amman 8°C (46°F) 
    Koh Samui 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Amman or Koh Samui in the Spring?

Both Koh Samui and Amman during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.

Amman usually gets less rain in April than Koh Samui. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Amman is much colder than Koh Samui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amman in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Amman 16°C (61°F) 
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Samui and Amman

Amman Koh Samui
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (46°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 26 mm (1 in) 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)