Which place is cheaper, Can Tho or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Can Tho?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Can Tho, 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 Can Tho?
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?
Can Tho
Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.
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 Vietnam, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Can Tho $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Can Tho is $57. 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 Can Tho in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Can Tho $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Can Tho $54
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Can Tho
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Can Tho? 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 Can Tho Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Can Tho $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho
Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $25
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $25
- PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport - Can Tho City Center: $40
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $43
- Private Transfer from Vinh Long to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $105
- Private Transfer from Thanh Thoi to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $106
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Ho Chi Minh: $112
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Can Tho?
Prices for flights to both Can Tho 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 $27Can Tho $17
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:
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Restaurant Dinner (for Two)$5.19
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Coconut$0.28
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Mango$1.08
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Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)$6.95
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Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees$0.64
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Casual Lunch (for One)$2.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
- Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
- Can Tho food tour designed by local chef: $38
- Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
- Eco Cooking Class and Market Tour: $47
- Walking street food tour designed by local chef: $47
- Full-Day Experience in Mekong Cycling and Authentic Home Cooking: $60
- Can Tho Cooking Class - Motorbike trip in the countryside: $69
- 2 Days Tour in Can Tho with Boat Trip and Cooking Class : $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Can Tho $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sunset Boat Ride$2.00
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Half Day Floating Market Tour$8.39
Tours and Activities in Can Tho
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $32
- The hidden Fabulous Floating Market and small canal (Non-tourist small canal): $33
- Half-Day Private Cai Rang Floating Market & Small Canal Boat Tour: $33
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $33
- Discover Can Tho Floating Market and Small Canal Adventure: $35
- Can Tho Sunset Tour : $35
- From Cai Rang Floating Market Group tour: $39
- Private Half Day Tour - Cái Răng Floating Market: $39
- Private Half Day Tour - Sơn Islet: $39
- Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $40
- Cai Rang Floating Market Tour -Amazing Can Tho : $45
- Rural and Tropical Island Tour at Can Tho: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Can Tho $6.59
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:
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Beer$3.20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Can Tho, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Can Tho much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Can Tho would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Can Tho 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 Can Tho.
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 Can Tho Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Can Tho?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Samet or Can Tho in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Can Tho. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Can Tho throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Can Tho. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in July than Can Tho. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Can Tho. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Can Tho receives 168 hours of full sun.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Can Tho in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Can Tho fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Can Tho 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Can Tho in the Autumn?
Both Can Tho 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. Plenty of visitors come to Can Tho because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Can Tho is December to April. The rainy season in Can Tho is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Can Tho. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Can Tho during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Can Tho receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Can Tho. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Can Tho averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Can Tho 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Can Tho in the Winter?
Both Can Tho 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Can Tho year-round.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Can Tho. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Can Tho, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. In the winter, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Can Tho. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Can Tho receives 240 hours of full sun.
In January, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Can Tho. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Can Tho fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Can Tho 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Can Tho in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Can Tho. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Can Tho attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho. Can Tho receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Can Tho. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Can Tho this time of the year. In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Can Tho during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Can Tho receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Can Tho in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Can Tho fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Can Tho 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Can Tho and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Can Tho | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 332 mm (13.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 313 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 365 mm (14.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.