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

Should you visit Koh Samet or Dalian?

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

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

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?

Dalian

Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.

When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Dalian, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Dalian Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Dalian?

Dalian 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 Dalian in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Dalian. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Dalian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Dalian averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite rainy in Dalian. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in July than Dalian. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Samet or Dalian in the Autumn?

Both Dalian 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.

In October, Koh Samet is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Dalian. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Koh Samet or Dalian in the Winter?

Both Dalian 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.

It's quite cold in Dalian in the winter. Koh Samet is much warmer than Dalian in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Dalian. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Samet or Dalian in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.

In the spring, Koh Samet is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Dalian averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In April, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Dalian. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dalian and Koh Samet