Which place is cheaper, Harbin 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 Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Harbin, 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 Harbin?
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?
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Harbin? 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 $79Harbin $1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin 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 $54Harbin $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Harbin $7.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Harbin, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
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 Harbin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Harbin?
Harbin 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 Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Koh Samet during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Koh Samet is a little warmer than Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin 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 more rain in July than Harbin. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.
In the autumn, Koh Samet is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).
Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Harbin. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Harbin. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Harbin. In January, Koh Samet is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year.
Koh Samet is much warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In April, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Harbin. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.