Which place is cheaper, Koh Samet or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beirut or Koh Samet?
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 Beirut and Koh Samet. 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: Beirut or Koh Samet?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
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 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 dayBeirut $2.26Koh Samet $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, 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 Beirut and Koh Samet in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Koh Samet $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Koh Samet $64
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Koh Samet
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Koh Samet Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Koh Samet $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $46
- Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
- Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Koh Samet?
Prices for flights to both Koh Samet and Beirut 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 dayBeirut $0.71Koh Samet $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
- Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
- Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Koh Samet $8.96
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $15
- Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
- City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $34
- Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
- Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
- Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $48
- Historical Beirut Tour (AM) Half Day - (4G on Board): $50
- New Small-Group Tour Semi-Private to Jeita,Harissa&Byblos: $50
- From Jeita, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Koh Samet $4.68
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour at Chateau Musar and Ixsir : $50
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
- Uncorking Splendor: A Journey Through Private Wine Tasting Tours: $60
- Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $69
- Wine Tasting and Hiking in the Cedars forest : $69
- From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $103
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Koh Samet, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet than you might in Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Koh Samet Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Beirut or Koh Samet?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Beirut or Koh Samet in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Koh Samet. Beirut 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. Beirut usually gets less rain in July than Koh Samet. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beirut this time of the year. In the summer, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Koh Samet. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Samet receives 195 hours of full sun.
Beirut is around the same temperature as Koh Samet in the summer. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Koh Samet fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Koh Samet 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Koh Samet in the Autumn?
Both Koh Samet and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. In October, Beirut usually receives less rain than Koh Samet. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Koh Samet during autumn. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Samet receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Beirut is around the same temperature as Koh Samet. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beirut in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Samet averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Koh Samet 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Koh Samet in the Winter?
Both Koh Samet and Beirut during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Koh Samet. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Beirut often gets less sunshine than Koh Samet. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Samet receives 255 hours of full sun.
In January, Beirut is generally much colder than Koh Samet. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 13°C (55°F), and Koh Samet fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Koh Samet 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Koh Samet in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Koh Samet. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Beirut usually receives less rain than Koh Samet. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beirut usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Samet during spring. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Samet receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.
Beirut is much colder than Koh Samet in the spring. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Koh Samet fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Koh Samet 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Samet and Beirut
| Beirut | Koh Samet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.