Which place is cheaper, Koh Samet or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Koh Samet?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Koh Samet, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Koh Samet?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Koh Samet
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $127Koh Samet $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $127, while the average daily cost in Koh Samet is $96. 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 Aqaba and Koh Samet in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Koh Samet $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Koh Samet $64
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Koh Samet
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Koh Samet? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Koh Samet Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Koh Samet $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Aqaba Airport transfer to Aqaba City: $25
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Arava Border: $27
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba City Hotels: $36
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Port to King Hussein Airport (AQJ): $36
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $36
- Private Transfer from Aqaba city hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $36
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $40
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $40
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba Port: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Koh Samet?
Prices for flights to both Koh Samet and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $42Koh Samet $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $64
- 4 hour desert jeep tour with overnight in beduin camp including dinner&breakfast: $85
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner : $88
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner Under the Stars: $135
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- From Aqaba to Wadi Rum ,Jeep Tour with Dinner (Half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Koh Samet $8.96
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Turgut camp with tour: $15
- 3-Hour Shore Dive or Snorkel Experiences in Aqaba: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- Full Day Private Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum: $36
- Discover Aqaba in Style: A 3-h City Tour by Car with meal: $37
- Walking Tour History ,Culture & Food: $37
- Jeep Tours in Wadi Rum with Bedouin Guide 2,3,4,5 hours | Magic Bedouin Star: $38
- Mosaic Art Experience: $38
- 4-hour sunset tour of desert highlights: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Koh Samet $4.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Koh Samet, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samet much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Koh Samet 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 Samet would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samet 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Koh Samet.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Koh Samet Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Koh Samet?
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 Aqaba or Koh Samet in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Koh Samet. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Koh Samet. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Koh Samet during summer. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Samet receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's very hot in Aqaba this time of the year. Aqaba is a little warmer than Koh Samet in the summer. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Koh Samet fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)Koh Samet 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Samet in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Koh Samet. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. Aqaba usually gets less rain in October than Koh Samet. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the autumn, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Koh Samet. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Samet receives 167 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Aqaba is around the same temperature as Koh Samet. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aqaba in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Samet averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)Koh Samet 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Samet in the Winter?
Both Koh Samet and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Koh Samet. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives less sunshine than Koh Samet during winter. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Samet receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Aqaba is generally much colder than Koh Samet. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 14°C (57°F), and Koh Samet fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)Koh Samet 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Koh Samet in the Spring?
Both Koh Samet and Aqaba during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.
Aqaba usually gets less rain in April than Koh Samet. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the spring, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Koh Samet. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Samet receives 239 hours of full sun.
Aqaba is cooler than Koh Samet in the spring. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Koh Samet fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)Koh Samet 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Samet and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Koh Samet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.