A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samet vs. Cheju (Jeju) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samet or Cheju (Jeju)?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Cheju (Jeju), 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 Cheju (Jeju)?

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?

Cheju (Jeju)

Cheju is an island located just off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait. It is known for its volcanic landscape full of craters and cave-like lava tubes, which many visitors venture to hike and explore. With the main industry invested in tourism, it is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners alike, and remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.

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 Cultural Tours in South Korea, and The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea.


Which place is cheaper, Cheju (Jeju) or Koh Samet?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Cheju (Jeju) is $72. 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 Cheju (Jeju) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $32
    Cheju (Jeju) $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $64
    Cheju (Jeju) $92
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Cheju (Jeju)

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Cheju (Jeju)? 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 Cheju (Jeju)


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $68
    Cheju (Jeju) $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cheju (Jeju)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cheju (Jeju):

  • Jeju Airport Transfer: $20
  • Private Transfer From Seogwipo to Jeju Airport in jeju island: $25
  • Private Transfer From Jeju Airport to in Seogwipo Jeju Island : $30
  • Private Taxi Transfer from Jeju City Downtown to Jeju Airport: $50
  • jeju island Private Taxi Hallasan Hiking Trail Transfer - One way: $57
  • Private Sightseeing Tour to Jeju Island with Transfer Included: $190

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Cheju (Jeju)?

Prices for flights to both Cheju (Jeju) 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 $27
    Cheju (Jeju) $17

Typical Food Prices in Cheju (Jeju)

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cheju (Jeju):


  • Burger
    $4.49
  • Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant)
    $7.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cheju (Jeju)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cheju (Jeju).

  • Cooking Korean Cuisine and Dinner at Jeju Seaside Sunset Terrace: $108

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $8.96
    Cheju (Jeju) $5.49

Tours and Activities in Cheju (Jeju)

Here are a few actual costs in Cheju (Jeju) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Visitors to Jeju Glass Museum and Experience: $25
  • [Jeju] Hanbok Rental Experience/Korean Traditional Clothes Rental Shop: $30
  • [Jeju] Woman Diver Haenyeo Traditional Clothes Rental Experience: $32
  • Full-Day Private Jumbo taxi Tour - East of Jeju Island (UNESCO): $55
  • Seogwipo(the southern city of Jeju) Art Museum Walking Tour: $55
  • Seogwipo (The Southern City of Jeju) Jungmun Area Walking Tour: $55
  • jeju Private Day Taxi tour - West of Jeju Island: $60
  • Seogwipo(The southern city of Jeju)City Walking Tours with Sunset: $60
  • Jeju island Southern Unesco Mt.halla ONE day Bus Tour: $63
  • Private Tour Cheonjeyeon Falls & Osulloc Museum in Jeju Island : $65
  • Jeju island Eastern UNESCO site Full Day Guided Tour: $66
  • Jeju Eastern Must visit Unesco Bus Tour: $66

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $4.68
    Cheju (Jeju) $7.12


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

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 Cheju (Jeju) Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Cheju (Jeju)?

Cheju (Jeju) 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 Cheju (Jeju) in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Cheju (Jeju). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.

In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Cheju (Jeju). Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Cheju (Jeju) fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cheju (Jeju) this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cheju (Jeju) during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Cheju (Jeju) receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

Cheju (Jeju) 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 less rain than Cheju (Jeju). Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Cheju (Jeju) receives 230 mm (9.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samet 28°C (82°F) 
    Cheju (Jeju) 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Cheju (Jeju) in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Cheju (Jeju). Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Koh Samet is much warmer than Cheju (Jeju) in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Cheju (Jeju) fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cheju (Jeju). Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cheju (Jeju) receives 179 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Cheju (Jeju). Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Cheju (Jeju) receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samet 27°C (81°F) 
    Cheju (Jeju) 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Cheju (Jeju) in the Winter?

Both Cheju (Jeju) 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.

In the winter, Koh Samet is much warmer than Cheju (Jeju). Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Cheju (Jeju) averages at about 5°C (41°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Cheju (Jeju) during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Cheju (Jeju) receives 75 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Cheju (Jeju). Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cheju (Jeju) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samet 25°C (77°F) 
    Cheju (Jeju) 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Cheju (Jeju) in the Spring?

Both Cheju (Jeju) 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.

In April, Koh Samet is generally much warmer than Cheju (Jeju). Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Cheju (Jeju) fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Cheju (Jeju). Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cheju (Jeju) receives 190 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet usually gets less rain in April than Cheju (Jeju). Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Cheju (Jeju) receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samet 29°C (84°F) 
    Cheju (Jeju) 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Cheju (Jeju) and Koh Samet

Koh Samet Cheju (Jeju)
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 9°C (47°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 13°C (56°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 184 mm (7.2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 241 mm (9.5 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in) 12°C (54°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in)