Which place is cheaper, Koh Samui or Haifa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Haifa 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 Haifa 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: Haifa or Koh Samui?
Haifa
Located on the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel, Haifa is Israel's third largest city. It is also a beautiful and strategically located city near the border with Lebanon. The population of Haifa, which is approximately 300,000, is surprisingly diverse. There are Jews, Muslim, and Christian Arabs throughout the city. While Haifa is an industrial city with a strong work ethic and a good job base, it is also a beautiful city with many gardens and a stunning coastline. Today the job base has increasingly become technology based with some large companies such as Google and Microsoft offering employment in the area. Haifa University is also the country's top technology university.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Israel, The Best Cultural Tours in Israel, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHaifa $123Koh Samui $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Haifa is $123, 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 Haifa and Koh Samui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHaifa $74Koh Samui $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHaifa $148Koh Samui $48
Compare Hotels in Haifa and Koh Samui
Looking for a hotel in Haifa 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: Haifa Hotel Prices and Koh Samui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Haifa $4.93Koh Samui $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haifa
Also for Haifa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers all over the Holyland: Haifa, TLV, Airport, JLM, Jordan: $195
- Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV): $173
- Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv City: $173
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 Haifa or Koh Samui?
Prices for flights to both Koh Samui and Haifa 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 dayHaifa $44Koh Samui $19
Typical Food Prices in Haifa
For Haifa, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$27
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.Haifa $5.68Koh Samui $10
Tours and Activities in Haifa
For Haifa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Romantic Walking Tour In Haifa for Couples: $290
- Caesarea, Haifa, Acre, Rosh Hanikra Private Day Tour: $700
- Christianity Day Tour: Haifa Port to Nazareth and Sea of Galilee : $295
- From Tel Aviv: Caesarea, Haifa & Akko Guided Tour: $1,300
- From Tel Aviv: Northern Israel Coast Private Tour: $999
- Full Day Tour to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee: $290
- Haifa Port Shore Excursion: Nazareth and Sea of Galilee Day Tour from Haifa Port: $120
- Haifa Port: Full-Day Christianity Cruise to Galilee: $388
- Haifa Private Tour: $160
- Haifa, Acre & Rosh Anikra Grottos Haifa Port FullDay Shared Tour: $231
- Haifa, Acre and Rosh Anikra for Cruises with Licensed Guide: $405
- Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port 2024 - Small Group: $255
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 dayHaifa $13Koh Samui $4.63
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 Haifa and Koh Samui, we can see that Haifa is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Haifa 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 Haifa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Haifa 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 Haifa Expensive? and Is Koh Samui Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Haifa or Koh Samui?
Haifa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Haifa 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 Haifa 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 Haifa or Koh Samui in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Haifa and Koh Samui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Haifa 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, Haifa usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Haifa is generally a little warmer than Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Haifa average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHaifa 27°C (81°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Koh Samui in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Haifa as well as Koh Samui. Haifa 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. Haifa usually gets less rain in October than Koh Samui. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Haifa is around the same temperature as Koh Samui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Haifa averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHaifa 24°C (75°F)Koh Samui 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Koh Samui in the Winter?
Both Koh Samui and Haifa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Haifa 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 Haifa. In January, Haifa usually receives more rain than Koh Samui. Haifa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Haifa is much colder than Koh Samui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Haifa 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 JanuaryHaifa 14°C (57°F)Koh Samui 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Koh Samui in the Spring?
Both Koh Samui and Haifa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Haifa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
Haifa usually gets less rain in April than Koh Samui. Haifa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Haifa is generally cooler than Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Haifa average around 19°C (66°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHaifa 19°C (66°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Samui and Haifa
| Haifa | Koh Samui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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 | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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) | 20 mm (0.8 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 | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 110 mm (4.3 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.