Which place is cheaper, Koh Samui or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cairo or Koh Samui?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Koh Samui 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: Cairo or Koh Samui?
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesKoh Samui Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $33Koh Samui $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $33, while the average daily cost in Koh Samui is $79. 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 Cairo and Koh Samui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $11Koh Samui $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $22Koh Samui $52
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Koh Samui
Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Koh Samui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.80Koh Samui $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride$0.08
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Taxi Ride$0.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- From Guided 4 Day Cairo & Red Sea Tour with Transfer: $1,440
- Private Day Trip to Luxor with Transfers and Flights: $791
- Cairo To Marsa Alam Private Transfer: $511
- From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $489
- 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
- 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Sharm El-Sheikh: $292
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Hurghada: $292
- Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
- Private Transfer from Cairo City Hotels to Suez Canal Cruise Port: $287
- PrivateTransfer from Cairo Airport(CAI) to Suez Canal Cruise Port: $287
- Private Transfer from Cairo Airport (CAI) to Ain Sokhna Port : $287
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$2.36
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Gas for Scooter$1.26
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Airport Taxi$14
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ferry Transfers between Ko Pha-ngan and Koh Tao: $22
- Ferry Transfers between Koh Samui and Ko Pha-ngan: $15
- Full Moon Party by Speed Boat Transfer from Koh Samui: $38
- Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan Transfer Painting and Party: $49
- Full Moon Party in Speedboat Transfer From Samui: $50
- Full Moon Party in Speedboat Transfer From Samui: $46
- Guided Zipline Adventure in Ko Samui with Round Trip Transfer: $81
- Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Round Trip Private Transfer: $36
- Koh Pha Ngan to Phuket Scenic Catamaran and Bus Transfer : $50
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $12
- Koh Samui Jungle Discovery Tour with Hotel Transfers: $49
- Koh Samui Paradise Park Farm Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $139
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Koh Samui?
Prices for flights to both Koh Samui and Cairo 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 dayCairo $18Koh Samui $39
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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Juice$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
- Great tour toThe Grand Museum of Giza and Nile River DinnerCruise: $5.00
- Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
- Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $7.00
- Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $7.00
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $9.00
- food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $9.00
- Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea: $9.00
- 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing : $9.00
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $9.00
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)$6.75
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: $67
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $78
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $79
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $79
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $81
- Sunset Dinner Cruise by Red Baron In Koh Samui : $81
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $82
- Thai Cooking Class | Since 2012 | Farm to Table: $82
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $82
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $82
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $113
- Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $122
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $9.09Koh Samui $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.84
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.47
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
- 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $253
- 2-Day Private Tour of Cairo with Accommodation and Entrance Fees: $165
- 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
- 3 Days Private Tour in Giza, Cairo, and Alexandria: $70
- 3-Day Private Tour in Cairo : $196
- 8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars: $14
- Alexandria day tour : $75
- All Inclusive day tour to Giza pyramids, Egyptian museum and Felucca : $95
- Ancient Wonders Unveiled: Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur Adventure: $50
- Antiquities in the Grande Egyptian Museum with Private Tour : $35
- Best Day Tour Visit Giza Pyramids, and Sakkara&Memphis Pyramids : $70
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Coconut Soap Making Demo and Experience Koh Samui: $2.37
- Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.97
- Samui: Double Seater Karting: Share the Driving Experience: $22
- Koh Samui Half Day Island Guided Tour: $24
- Top Sights of Samui City Tour: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island : $27
- Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $28
- Koh Samui City & Temples Tour with Na Muang Waterfall: $28
- Angthong National Marine Park by Highsea Tour (Official): $30
- 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $30
- City Tour Around Koh Samui: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.48Koh Samui $5.33
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Koh Samui, we can see that Koh Samui is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Koh Samui Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Koh Samui?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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 Cairo or Koh Samui?
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 Cairo or Koh Samui in the Summer?
Both Koh Samui and Cairo during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cairo usually gets less rain in July than Koh Samui. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Cairo is generally a little warmer than Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Koh Samui in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Koh Samui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Cairo is around the same temperature as Koh Samui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Koh Samui 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Koh Samui in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Koh Samui. Cairo 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. Cairo usually gets less rain in January than Koh Samui. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Cairo is much colder than Koh Samui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cairo in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Koh Samui 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Koh Samui in the Spring?
Both Koh Samui and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Cairo is generally cooler than Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 21°C (70°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Samui and Cairo
| Cairo | Koh Samui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.