Which place is cheaper, Hoi An or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Hoi An?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Hoi An, 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 Hoi An?
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?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Hoi An $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Hoi An is $46. 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 Hoi An in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Hoi An $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Hoi An $42
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Hoi An
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Hoi An? 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 Hoi An Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Hoi An $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.79
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer to Da Nang Hotels or to Hoi An City: $4.10
- Hoi An and Da Nang Airport/City Shuttle Transfer Service: $6.00
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- Da Nang Airport : transfer to Da Nang center / to Hoi An: $7.06
- From One-Way Shared Bus Transfer to Da Nang: $8.82
- From Hoi An/Da Nang: Shuttle Bus Transfer to My Son: $9.00
- Hue: Transfer to/from Airport, Hoi An, Danang by Private Car: $10
- Basket Boat Ticket & Transfer in Cam Thanh Village: $14
- Hoi An : Cam Thanh Basket Boat Riding W Two-way Transfers: $14
- Hoi An Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Two-way Transfers: $14
- Hoi An : Cam Thanh Basket Boat Riding W Two-way Transfers: $14
- Hoi An Basket Boat Ride Includes Two-way Transfers: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Hoi An?
Prices for flights to both Hoi An 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 $27Hoi An $9.95
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$14
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.99
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Optional Lunch/Dinner: $14
- Hoi An:Traditional Cooking Class with Cam Thanh Local Family: $21
- Traditional Cooking Class & meal w Cam Thanh Family: $21
- Hoi An/Da Nang: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Transportation: $22
- From Cooking Class at Organic Farm: $22
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
- Traditional Vietnamese Cooking Class in Leina Cookery: $23
- Evening Tra Que Cooking Class with Locals in Herb Village: $24
- Hoi An : Basket Boat Ride & Cooking Class with Market Tour: $24
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hoi An: $24
- Cooking Class with Traditional Vietnamese Meals: $24
- Hoi An : Cooking Class W Optional Basket Boat & Market Tour: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Hoi An $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$148
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Short Boat Ride$1.60
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hoi An Ancient Town - Free Walking Tour: $2.05
- Hoi An Ancient Town- Free Walking Tour with Local Guide: $2.05
- Experience Kim Bong Carpentry with Local Artisans: $6.57
- Experience Bamboo Basket Boat on Coconut village w Locals: $6.89
- Da Nang/Hoi An:Experience Basket Boat ride in Coconut Forest: $7.18
- Hoi An Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Bus to My Son Sanctuary with Entrance ticket: $8.00
- Experience the Art of Vietnamese Coffee Making: $11
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Bicycle Tour: $12
- Cam Thanh Tour with Bamboo Basket Boat: $12
- Hoi An : Bamboo Basket Boat Tour: $12
- Basket Boat Experience: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Hoi An $9.06
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Hoi An
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hoi An:
- Pub Crawl by Bus with Shots at Each Bar: $8.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Hoi An, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.
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 Hoi An Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Hoi An?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hoi An in the Summer?
Both Hoi An 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round.
February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Hoi An. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Hoi An. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hoi An receives 242 hours of full sun.
In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Hoi An. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Hoi An fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Hoi An 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hoi An in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Hoi An. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Hoi An. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hoi An during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Hoi An receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Hoi An in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Hoi An fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Hoi An 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hoi An in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Hoi An. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year.
Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Hoi An. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in January than Hoi An. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the winter, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Hoi An. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hoi An receives 136 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Hoi An. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Hoi An averages at about 22°C (71°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Hoi An 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hoi An in the Spring?
Both Hoi An 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. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Hoi An. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Hoi An. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Hoi An during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Hoi An receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Hoi An. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Hoi An fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Hoi An 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Hoi An and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Hoi An | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.