Which place is cheaper, Brisbane or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Brisbane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Brisbane, 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 Brisbane?
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?
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Brisbane $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $131. 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 Brisbane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Brisbane $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Brisbane $162
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Brisbane
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Brisbane? 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 Brisbane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Brisbane $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$9.73
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Go Card$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sunshine Coast Airport Arrival transfer to Hotels: $18
- Shared Transfer Service from Brisbane Airport: $21
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Hotels to Brisbane Cruise Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Cruise Port to Brisbane: $33
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Port to Brisbane Airport (BNE): $33
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane Port: $33
- Gold Coast Airport Private Transfer for 1 to 15 Passengers : $33
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $52
- Private Arrival Transfer: Brisbane Airport to Hotel: $53
- Brisbane Airport to Sunshine Coast Transfer Service: $55
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Brisbane?
Prices for flights to both Brisbane 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 $27Brisbane $31
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.19
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Cup of Coffee$1.95
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.11
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Ice cream$3.57
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Japanese Meal$13
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Smoothie$4.22
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Japanese Soup$7.46
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Coffee & Muffin$4.54
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Morning Mint Tea$2.27
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.08
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Bread$1.69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vertigo Dinner: Dining on the edge!: $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Brisbane $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- Fortitude Valley Historical Crime Walking Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Audio Tour FREE Ticket: $15
- True Crime Tour: $22
- Brisbane Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $22
- Winery Tour and Tasting: $23
- Haunted Brisbane CBD Ghost Tour: $23
- South Brisbane Cemetery Ghost Tour: $23
- Moonlight State Fortitude Valley Crime Tour Crime Tours Australia: $23
- Ultimate Urban Adventure | Clue-Guided Experience: $27
- Themed Adventure Game: $29
- Sightseeing River Cruise with Morning Tea: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Brisbane $50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar$9.73
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Sixpack of Beer$9.08
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Guiness Beer$5.51
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Sixpack of Beer$8.43
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Beer Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $24
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $24
- Artisinal Wine Tasting and Local 2-Course Meal: $49
- City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $50
- Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $102
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $124
- From Mount Tamborine Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $131
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $131
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $132
- Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch: $142
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samet much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Samet is in Asia and Brisbane is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Koh Samet would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samet 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane than you might in Koh Samet.
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 Brisbane Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Brisbane?
Brisbane has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Samet experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Samet or Brisbane in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Brisbane. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Brisbane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Brisbane averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In the summer, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein January. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Brisbanein January. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Brisbane 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Brisbane in the Autumn?
Both Brisbane and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.
In October, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Brisbanein April. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Brisbane. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Brisbanein April. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Brisbane 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Brisbane in the Winter?
Both Brisbane and Koh Samet during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Koh Samet is much warmer than Brisbane in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.
In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. In the winter, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Brisbanein July. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Brisbanein July. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Brisbane 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Brisbane in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Brisbane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Brisbane averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Brisbanein October. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Brisbane 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Brisbane and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Brisbane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (5 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.