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

Should you visit Koh Samet or Bandung?

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

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

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?

Bandung

Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.

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 Budget Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia.


Which place is cheaper, Bandung or Koh Samet?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Bandung is $48. 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 Bandung in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $37
    Bandung $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $74
    Bandung $40
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Bandung

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Bandung? 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 Bandung


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 Bandung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $79
    Bandung $5.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung

Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Mampang to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $35
  • Private Transfer from Sadang Serang to Bandung Airport (BDO): $37
  • Private Transfer from Kel. Sekejati to Bandung Airport (BDO): $37
  • Private Transfer from Kel. Samoja to Bandung Airport (BDO): $37
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Kel. Samoja: $37
  • Private Transfer from Pagerwangi to Bandung Airport (BDO): $37
  • Private Transfer from Cihideung to Bandung Airport (BDO): $37
  • Private Transfer from Dusun Mulya Bhakti to Bandung Airport (BDO): $37
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to 40294 Arcamanik, Bandung City: $37
  • Private Transfer from Citeureup City to Bandung Airport (BDO): $37
  • Private Transfer from Malabar to Bandung Airport (BDO): $37
  • Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Paledang: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Bandung?

Prices for flights to both Bandung 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 $54
    Bandung $24

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $10
    Bandung $5.45

Tours and Activities in Bandung

For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Indonesia: Dago Dreampark Bandung Tickets: $9.93
  • Bandung Volcano Sightseeing and Hot Spring Private Tour: $43
  • Private Guided to The White Crater & Surrounding Areas Tour: $45
  • Private Guide Bandung Tour Car Charter: $49
  • Bogor ,west Java Tour: $50
  • Bandung Tour All In, White Crater, Volcano Mountain, Hot Spring : $52
  • Private Tour to Bandung Volcano Hot Springs and Mud bathing: $55
  • Kawah Putih tour - Day trip Ticket etc all including : $57
  • Bandung Tour Volcano, Hotsprings, Mud, Tea, Lunch all Included: $60
  • Innova Reborn Tour driver car rental in Bandung: $62
  • Bandung Crater Adventure Hotspring and Mud Bath: $70
  • Batukaras Countryside & Canyon Tour: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $5.38
    Bandung $3.32


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

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 Bandung Expensive?.