Which place is cheaper, Koh Samui or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beirut 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 Beirut 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: Beirut or Koh Samui?
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 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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.26Koh Samui $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, while the average daily cost in Koh Samui is $55. 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 Samui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Koh Samui $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Koh Samui $48
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Koh Samui
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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.
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 Samui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Koh Samui $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201
- Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $46
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
- 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 Pickup: $9.89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.05
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Gas for Scooter$1.09
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Airport Taxi$12
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$11
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Chaweng, Koh Samui APT-HTL (USM): $12
- Samui: Angthong Marine Park Boat Tour w/ Transfer and Meals: $35
- Samui International Airport: Private Hotel Transfer: $32
- Samui International Airport (USM) Departure Shared Transfer: $11
- Samui International Airport (USM) Arrival Shared Transfer: $11
- Private Transfer from Samui City to Samui (USM) Airport: $46
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Samui City: $46
- Private Transfer from Lamai to Samui (USM) Airport: $36
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui to Ko Samui Airport: $26
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui island hotels to Ko Samui Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Island Hotels: $67
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $67
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Koh Samui?
Prices for flights to both Koh Samui 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 Samui $19
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
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.86
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:
- Romantic 4-Course Dinner for Two on the Beach by the Amari Samui: $43
- Cooking Class with Herbal Garden by Amari Koh Samui: $51
- Thai Cooking Class at Melati Beach Resort & Spa: $59
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $61
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $67
- Thai Cooking Class & Organic Micro Farm Experience - Farm to Table. Since 2015: $69
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $71
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $72
- Koh Samui Jungle Kitchen - Half Day Cooking Class: $77
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $78
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour: $80
- Red Baron Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Koh Samui $10
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days Lebanon Holiday Tour Package: $250
- 3 Hours ATV Rental Guided Tour in Nature: $130
- 3 days tour package : Jeita grotto-Byblos-Baalbek & Beirut tour: $295
- 3-Day Tour of Beirut with Pick Up: $250
- ATV (2 Seat) Full Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $150
- ATV (2 Seat) Half Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $120
- All in 1 Lebanon Local Multi day Tour, 3 days: $289
- Baalbek Tour: $111
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Group Tour: $95
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Guided Full-Day Tour from Beirut: $90
- Baatara Gorge Waterfall, Jeita Grotto and Byblos Tour: $170
- Beirut 3 museums + mini walking tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- 6 Hrs Off Road 4x4 Adventure of Hidden Gems In Koh Samui Hills 1 - 4 persons: $117
- 6 Hrs Off Road 4x4 Adventure of Hidden Gems In Koh Samui Hills 5 - 8 Persons: $145
- Koh Samui Island ATV Quad Bike Adventure: $50
- Pig Island Experience By Speed Boat, Snorkeling, Kayaking Relaxing on the Beach: $49
- Private Tour in Koh Samui Waterfall And Mummified Monk Temple: $198
- koh samui island and water fall tour: $43
- 2 Day Halfmoon Festival Experience General Admission Pass: $70
- 2 Islands Sightseeing and Snorkeling Trip From Koh Samui: $46
- 2-Hour Koh Samui ATV Quad Tour: $51
- 2.5-Hours ATV Jungle Adventure Experience from Koh Phangan: $107
- 3 Night Hotel Package and 2 Day Experience at Halfmoon Festival: $284
- 3.5-Hours ATV Adventure in the Jungle of Koh Phangan: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Koh Samui $4.63
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Koh Samui
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Koh Samui:
- Private 4x4 Off-Road Island Safari + Rum Distillery Visit & Tasting: $295
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Koh Samui, we can see that Koh Samui 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 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 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 Samui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samui 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 Samui Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Koh Samui?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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 Beirut 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 Beirut or Koh Samui in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Koh Samui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut 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, Beirut usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Beirut 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, Beirut is a little warmer than Koh Samui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beirut in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Koh Samui in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Koh Samui. Beirut 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. Beirut usually gets less rain in October than Koh Samui. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Beirut is generally around the same temperature as Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Koh Samui 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Koh Samui in the Winter?
Both Koh Samui and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut 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 Beirut. In January, Beirut usually receives more rain than Koh Samui. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Beirut is much colder than Koh Samui in the winter. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Koh Samui fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Koh Samui 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Koh Samui in the Spring?
Both Koh Samui and Beirut during the spring 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 Samui year-round.
Beirut usually gets less rain in April than Koh Samui. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Beirut is cooler than Koh Samui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beirut in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Samui and Beirut
| Beirut | Koh Samui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.