Which place is cheaper, Bangkok or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Bangkok?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Bangkok, 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 Bangkok?
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?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Bangkok $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $76. 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 Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Bangkok $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Bangkok $82
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Bangkok? 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: Koh Samet Hotel Prices and Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Bangkok $5.77
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.18
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Skytrain Ticket$4.36
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.87
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Ferry Ride$0.71
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Taxi From Airport$6.82
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Short Taxi Ride$2.45
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Boat Taxi$1.36
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Trains to airport$4.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Suvarnabhumi Airport Bus transfer to/from Bangkok: $4.06
- Bus transfer from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport: $4.99
- Ayothaya Floating Market Admission Ticket with Transfer(Optional): $8.31
- Airport BKK||DMK : Private car Transfer to downtowns Bangkok: $12
- Bangkok Airport Arrival – Shared Transfer: $14
- Bangkok International Airport - Departure Transfer: $15
- Bangkok International Airport - Arrival Transfer: $17
- Private Bangkok Airport Transfer: $17
- Departure Private Transfer Bangkok City to Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK by Sedan: $17
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Sedan Car: $17
- Bangkok Don Muang Airport Shared Transfer : $18
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City Business MPV: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok 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
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Food Meals for one dayKoh Samet $27Bangkok $18
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$25
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.46
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.23
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.82
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.46
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Pad Thai$1.91
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Airport Lunch for 2$15
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Lunch for 2$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $19
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $20
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $21
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $23
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $24
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
- Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruise On Chao Phraya: $27
- Nopparat Thai Dinner with Classical Dance: $28
- Chao Phraya River Serenade: VIVA Alangka Dinner Cruise, Bangkok: $28
- Bangkok Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruised Tour On Chao Phraya: $28
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Bangkok $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.36
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$9.55
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.36
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.46
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Club Cover Charge$10
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$65
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Fish Pedicure$4.09
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.73
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Siriraj Museum (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Thailand's Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.99
- Skip the Line: Ayutthaya Floating Market Admission Ticket: $5.33
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.33
- Chinatown and Wat Traimit Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.00
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.31
- Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $9.46
- Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $9.70
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $10
- Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl.): $10
- Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour: $10
- Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $10
- Hua Hin Featured Day Tour (Sunday) by akGO! Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Bangkok $5.97
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Pub Crawl and Club Night With Shots & VIP Entrance: $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Bangkok, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Bangkok.
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 Bangkok Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Bangkok?
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 Bangkok in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Bangkok. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Bangkok. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Bangkok during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Bangkok receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Bangkok. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Bangkok fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Bangkok 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Bangkok in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Bangkok. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. May to October in Bangkok is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Bangkok. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Bangkok. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Bangkok. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bangkok receives 206 hours of full sun.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Bangkok in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Bangkok fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Bangkok 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Bangkok in the Winter?
Both Bangkok and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Bangkok is November to February. In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Bangkok. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Bangkok. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Bangkok during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Bangkok receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Bangkok. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Bangkok averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Bangkok 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Bangkok in the Spring?
Both Bangkok and Koh Samet during the spring 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 Bangkok year-round.
May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in April than Bangkok. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Bangkok, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Bangkok. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bangkok receives 262 hours of full sun.
In April, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Bangkok. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Bangkok fluctuates around 31°C (87°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Bangkok 31°C (87°F)
Typical Weather for Bangkok and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Bangkok | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.