Which place is cheaper, Guilin 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 Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Guilin, 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 Guilin?
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?
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesGuilin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Guilin $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $84. 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Guilin $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Guilin $70
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Guilin? 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 $79Guilin $5.85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $18
- [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $41
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Yangshuo: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Yangshuo: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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 $54Guilin $39
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Wukong Guilin Neighborhood Food Tour: $65
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Tour with Elephant Hill & Ming Tea Tasting: $46
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide(beginner friendly): $51
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- 1-Day tour of Guilin-LiRiver cruise-Yangshuo Xianggong hill : $55
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $60
- Guilin English tour guide service : $62
- Private day tours: ancient zhuang rice terraces hiking to PingAn : $66
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Li River Cruise ticket from Guilin to Yangshuo with pickup: $72
- Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo Day Tour: $72
- Fully-Guided Private Day Tour of Longji Terraces From Guilin: $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Guilin $5.81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Guilin, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Guilin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guilin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guilin 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 Guilin.
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 Guilin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Guilin?
Guilin 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 Guilin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.
In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Guilin. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Guilin. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Guilin. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Samet is a little warmer than Guilin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Guilin. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Guilin in the Winter?
Both Guilin and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year.
In the winter, Koh Samet is much warmer than Guilin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Guilin averages at about 10°C (49°F).
In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Guilin. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin and Koh Samet during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.