Which place is cheaper, Darwin 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 Darwin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Darwin, 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 Darwin?
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?
Darwin
Darwin is a tropical city set against the Timor Sea in north central Australia. It is also the capital city of the Northern Territory. Despite being a relatively small city, Darwin is very diverse with residents from all over the world. The city itself has a very relaxed vibe with plenty to do. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditionally Asian style markets to culturally diverse events such as concerts, festivals or art shows.
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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesDarwin Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Darwin $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Darwin is $139. 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 Darwin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Darwin $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Darwin $124
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Darwin
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Darwin? 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 Darwin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Darwin $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Darwin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:
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Shuttle to Train Station$9.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:
- DRW Airport to Darwin City Centre Private Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $87
- Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $87
- Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $101
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Darwin?
Prices for flights to both Darwin 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 $54Darwin $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Darwin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Darwin.
- Sunset Harbour Cruise with Fish and Chips Dinner: $72
- Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $96
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $104
- Cape Adieu Sunset Cruise with 4-Course Dinner: $111
- Signature four course Sunset Dinner Cruise: $111
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $113
- Cape Adieu Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise: $113
- Waterfront Seafood Dinner with Wine for Two: $131
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Darwin $15
Tours and Activities in Darwin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:
- Aquascene Fish Feeding Experience: $11
- Explore Delightful Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Crocosaurus Cove General Admission Ticket: $26
- Adelaide River Queen Original Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $27
- Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Tour: $32
- Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $33
- 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $37
- Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour: $40
- Adelaide River Cruises - Jumping Crocodile Experience: $40
- 1-Hour Bombing of Darwin Cruise: $43
- Discover Darwin Harbour: Darwin Harbour Afternoon Cruise: $43
- Discover Darwin Harbour 1 hour Darwin Harbour Cruise: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Darwin $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Darwin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Darwin from other travelers:
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Evening at a Bar$16
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Glass of Wine$4.58
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Darwin, we can see that Darwin 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. Even though Koh Samet is in Asia and Darwin is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Darwin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Darwin?
Darwin 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 Darwin in the Summer?
Both Darwin 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. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Darwin in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in January.
Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Darwin during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Darwin 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Darwin in the Autumn?
Both Darwin 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. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.
In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Darwinin April. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Darwinin April. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Darwin 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Darwin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin July. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Darwin 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Darwin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Darwin. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the beaches during these months.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Darwin in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Darwinin October. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun.
Koh Samet usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Darwinin October. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Darwin 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Darwin and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Darwin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 342 mm (13.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
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.