A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samet vs. Bali for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samet or Bali?

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

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

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?

Bali

Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.

Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.

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 Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Bali or Koh Samet?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $97, while the average daily cost in Bali is $74. 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 Koh Samet and Bali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $32
    Bali $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $64
    Bali $84
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Bali

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Bali? 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.

Hotels in Koh Samet


Hotels in Bali


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: Koh Samet Hotel Prices and Bali Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $69
    Bali $9.20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:


  • Motorbike Rental
    $3.16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
  • Sanur Bali to/from Lembongan: Speedboat Transfer: $16
  • Ngurah Rai Bali Airport Private Transfer: $16
  • Private Transfer Ubud-Seminyak-Kuta-Uluwatu-Jimbaran: $20
  • Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
  • Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Jimbaran: $22
  • Private Transfer Between Ubud and Canggu: $23
  • Denpasar Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $23
  • Half-Day Private City Tour with Transfers: $28
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $29
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $29
  • Bali and Nusa Penida: Fast Boat Transfers: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Bali?

Prices for flights to both Bali and Koh Samet 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Koh Samet $28
    Bali $21

Typical Food Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:


  • Coffee
    $1.26
  • Lunch for Two
    $14
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $27
  • Lunch for Two
    $8.22
  • Lunch for 2
    $9.11
  • Dinner for 2
    $9.99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.

  • Best Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Sunset : $29
  • From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $30
  • Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $31
  • From Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $35
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
  • Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
  • Padang-Padang Beach+ Uluwatu Sunset and Kecak Dance + Dinner: $45
  • Bali Street Food Tour: $45
  • Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village, english: $50
  • Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
  • Private Full or Half-Day Authentic Food Tour: $52
  • Ubud: Romantic Barbecue Dinner by the Pool: $56

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $9.06
    Bali $11

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:


  • Spa for Two
    $55
  • Snorkelling Trip
    $13
  • Cooking School
    $28

Tours and Activities in Bali

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:

  • Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
  • Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket: $9.21
  • Tanah Lot Temple Guided Tour: $12
  • Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
  • Uluwatu Temple and Karang Boma Cliff Tour with Tickets: $16
  • Watersport activity Ocean walker, Parasailing Adventure & Banana Boat: $18
  • Bali Nusa Dua Theatre: Devdan Show Tickets: $18
  • Full Day Tour: Hidden Sensational Tour with Best Driver: $19
  • White Water Rafting Adventure in Ubud - All Inclusive: $20
  • 1-Day Instant Entry Ticket to Waterbom Bali: $20
  • All Inclusive Bali Snorkeling Blue Lagoon tour experience : $20
  • Jetsky Bali Watersport Experience: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $4.73
    Bali $3.26


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

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 Bali Expensive?.



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

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 Bali in the Summer?

Both Bali 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 Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Bali is April to September. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Bali. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Bali receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Bali. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Bali during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 253 hours of full sun in the summer.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samet 28°C (82°F) 
    Bali 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Bali in the Autumn?

Both Bali 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 Bali year-round.

October to March is the rainy season in Bali. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Bali. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Bali receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Bali. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 266 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Bali. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Bali averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samet 27°C (81°F) 
    Bali 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Bali in the Winter?

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

Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali. In January, Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bali. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bali receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Bali during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Bali. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Bali fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samet 25°C (77°F) 
    Bali 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Bali in the Spring?

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

Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season. Koh Samet usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bali. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Bali receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bali. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 226 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Bali in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samet 29°C (84°F) 
    Bali 27°C (81°F)

Typical Weather for Bali and Koh Samet

Koh Samet Bali
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in) 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)