Which place is cheaper, Chennai or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Chennai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Chennai, 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 Chennai?
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?
Chennai
Formerly known as Madras from its colonial history, Chennai today is one of India's largest cities and capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Bay of Bengal in southeastern India with an extensive stretch of sandy beaches, plenty of dining and shopping, a number of historic temples, monuments, and churches, plus amusement parks and more.
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 Adventure Tours to India, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in India.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesChennai Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $129Chennai $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $129, while the average daily cost in Chennai is $30. 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 Chennai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $36Chennai $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $72Chennai $28
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Chennai
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Chennai? 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 Chennai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $76Chennai $2.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chennai Airport to Hotel Transfer: $13
- Chennai Airport (MAA) Private Transfer to Chennai City/Hotels: $22
- Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $27
- Chennai Private City and Airport Transfer: $27
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $30
- Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $30
- Chennai - Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from Chennai City Hotel to Chennai Airport: $30
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Chennai Hotels: $35
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $40
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Chennai?
Prices for flights to both Chennai 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 $53Chennai $9.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai
For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ayurvedic or South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with an Author: $40
- Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with Vidhya: $48
- Chennai Market Tour & Cooking Class in a Local Home with Meena: $54
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class near Chennai Airport: $62
- Private Authentic Indian Cooking Demo in Chennai in Tara's Home: $76
- Traditional Indian Art, Craft and Cooking Tour: $76
- Private tour to learn Traditional Indian Art, craft & Cooking: $80
- Neighborhood Market Tour & South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai: $152
- Food Trail In Sowcarpet With Transport And Dinner - Chennai: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $9.99Chennai $2.45
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- Agra: Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line & Guided Private 3 Hours Tour: $4.51
- Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour from Delhi by Car – Fast Entry: $4.51
- Tuk-Tuk Tour of Mahabalipuram Monuments: $11
- Private Night Walking Tour Chennai: $12
- Spiritual Stories of Guided Tour through Holy Sites: $13
- Walk and Explore Chennai City: Guided Tour by Foot: $13
- Exploring Chennai Bustling Markets: Guided Tour by Foot: $13
- Explore Chennai City in Nightlights: Guided Tour by Foot: $13
- Explore Chennai City Guided Walking Tour on Foot with a local: $13
- Chennai Walking Tour ( 2 hours guided tour): $14
- Mahabalipuram Heritage Day Tour-Approved by Ministry of India: $18
- Chennai Walk of Divinity (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.21Chennai $2.73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Chennai, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Chennai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chennai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chennai 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 Chennai.
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 Chennai 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.