Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Boracay, 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 Boracay?
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?
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Boracay? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Boracay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $22
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $27
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $28
- Departure: Speedboat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $34
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $60
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $70
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay 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 $27Boracay $14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.43
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.19
- Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $15
- Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
- Boracay UFO Adventure: $17
- Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $17
- 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $17
- Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling: $20
- Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $21
- Stand-up Paddleboard Experience: $22
- Helmet Diving Experience with Photos and Videos: $22
- All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Boracay $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Boracay, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Boracay.
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 Boracay Expensive?.
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.