A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samet vs. Da Nang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samet or Da Nang?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Da Nang, 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 Da Nang?

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?

Da Nang

Halfway between Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the North is the easy-going beach city of Da Nang (or Danang, for some). The third most populated city in Vietnam, Da Nang draws in crowds with its beautiful and calm beaches as well as its history as a French colonial port.

With beaches, mountains, and cityscape, there's bound to be a point of interest for all travelers. Da Nang is also a transit hub to get to the four Vietnamese UNESCO World heritage sites: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, and My Son.

Da Nang experiences wet season from September through March and dry season from April through August with average temperatures of around 80℉.

Da Nang is also known to have some of the friendliest locals, probably due to the peace and quiet and lack of heavy traffic, even in the city.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City.


Which place is cheaper, Da Nang 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Da Nang is $55. 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 Da Nang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $37
    Da Nang $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $74
    Da Nang $36
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Da Nang

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Da Nang? 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 Da Nang


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 Da Nang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $79
    Da Nang $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Da Nang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Da Nang:

  • Transfer from Da Nang Hotel to Airport by Private Car: $5.00
  • Da Nang Airport Transfer to Da Nang Hotel by Private Car: $5.00
  • Hue Transfer Service to/from Hotel, Airport, Train Station: $7.09
  • PRIVATE TRANSFER Da Nang Airport to/from Da Nang & Hoi An hotels: $8.00
  • Danang Private Airport Transfer: $9.50
  • Hue: Private Transfer to/from Da Nang via Many Attractions: $15
  • Hue: Private Transfer to Da Nang with Sightseeing Stops: $15
  • Private transfer Danang airport - Hotels in Danang: $15
  • Hue: Private Transfer to/from Hoi An via Many Attractions: $16
  • Da Nang - Hoi An Airport Transfer: $16
  • Hoi An Transfer to/from Hue by Private Car via Hai Van Pass: $18
  • From Hue: One-Way Shared Bus Transfer to Hoi An: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Da Nang?

Prices for flights to both Da Nang 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 $54
    Da Nang $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Da Nang

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Da Nang.

  • Tasty Dinner Da Nang on Han River Cruise by Yatch & Champa Show: $17
  • Poseidon Cruise with Dinner and Dragon Bridge Show: $17
  • HộiAnTrà Quế farming &Cooking Class-BasketBoat Ride,Crab fishing: $26
  • Eco Cooking Class and Basket boat tour from Da Nang/ Hoi An: $29
  • Da Nang Food Tour Motorbike & Sightseeing By Ao Dai Lady Rider: $38
  • 5 traditional dishes Da Nang cooking class with market trip: $39
  • Seafood dinner, night market, sightseeing by night: $39
  • Happy Cooking Class in Danang : $39
  • Da Nang Evening Food Tour: $47
  • 6-Hour Cooking Class in Danang (JDN1): $50
  • Discover Da Nang by Night on a Private Food Tour: $53
  • Hue Countryside Bike Tour & Cooking Class: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $10
    Da Nang $13

Tours and Activities in Da Nang

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Da Nang are as follows:

  • Han River by night on boat cruise in Da Nang: $5.50
  • Day Tour to Bana Hills with Golden Bridge: $7.76
  • Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Tour from Da Nang: $8.54
  • Experience Da Nang Han River Local Cruise by Night: $9.00
  • Explore Hue: 3 Highlights Tour then Depart to Hoi An: $11
  • Combo Dragon Cruise by Yatch-Tasty Local Beer & Champa Dance: $17
  • Beautiful Night Cruise Experience in Han River Da Nang: $18
  • Exploring Beautiful Charming Da Nang Show Ticket: $19
  • Full Day Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills Small Group Tour: $21
  • Marble Mountains - Am Phu Cave - Monkey Mountain Sunset tour : $22
  • Da Nang Street Food Private Tour With Female Tour Guide: $25
  • Danang City Full Day Tours: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $5.38
    Da Nang $8.91


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

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 Da Nang Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Da Nang?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Koh Samet or Da Nang in the Summer?

Both Da Nang and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Da Nang is January to July. The rainy season in Da Nang is August to December. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Da Nang. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Da Nang. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Da Nang during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Da Nang receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Da Nang in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Da Nang fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samet 28°C (82°F) 
    Da Nang 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Da Nang in the Autumn?

Both Da Nang and Koh Samet during the autumn 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 Da Nang year-round.

August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang. Da Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in October than Da Nang. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Da Nang. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Da Nang receives 158 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Da Nang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Da Nang averages at about 25°C (78°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samet 27°C (81°F) 
    Da Nang 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Da Nang in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Da Nang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

January to July in Da Nang is the dry season. Da Nang receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Da Nang. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Da Nang during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Da Nang receives 136 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Da Nang. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Da Nang fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samet 25°C (77°F) 
    Da Nang 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Da Nang in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Da Nang. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year.

Koh Samet usually gets more rain in April than Da Nang. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Da Nang. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Da Nang receives 210 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Da Nang in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Da Nang fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samet 29°C (84°F) 
    Da Nang 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Da Nang and Koh Samet

Koh Samet Da Nang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 26°C (80°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 30°C (85°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 29°C (85°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 29°C (85°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in) 25°C (78°F) 613 mm (24.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in) 24°C (76°F) 376 mm (14.8 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 223 mm (8.8 in)