A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Koh Samet vs. Ayutthaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samet or Ayutthaya?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Ayutthaya, 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: Koh Samet or Ayutthaya?

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?

Ayutthaya

Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Ayutthaya, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Ayutthaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ayutthaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Ayutthaya Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Ayutthaya?

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 Koh Samet or Ayutthaya in the Summer?

Both Ayutthaya and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Ayutthaya during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?

Both Ayutthaya and Koh Samet during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.

October to April is the dry season in Ayutthaya. May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Ayutthaya. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Ayutthaya. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 206 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Ayutthaya in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Ayutthaya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Ayutthaya. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Ayutthaya during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Ayutthaya in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Ayutthaya. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.

Also, October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. May to October in Ayutthaya is the rainy season. Koh Samet usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ayutthaya. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Ayutthaya. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 262 hours of full sun.

It's very hot in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In April, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Koh Samet