Which place is cheaper, Dali 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 Dali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Dali, 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 Dali?
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?
Dali
Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesDali Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Dali $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Dali is $62. 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 Dali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Dali $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Dali
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Dali? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Dali $9.34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG): $149
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Dali?
Prices for flights to both Dali 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 $54Dali $32
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.49
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Breakfast$3.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali
For Dali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cangshan Mountain hike and organic homemade dinner: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Dali $18
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $71
- Yunnan Dali Erhai 3 Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple One Day Tour: $74
- Zhoucheng Village Tie Dyeing Private Experience: $87
- Jizu Mountain Private Tour: $87
- Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $87
- Shaxi Ancient Town Private Tour: $99
- Private tour to Xizhou old town local market Erhai lake three Pagodas from Dali: $184
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
- Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $190
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- Dali Yunnan Local Market Pottery Making Eco Tour: $197
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Dali $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Dali, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Dali.
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 Dali 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.