A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Koh Samet vs. Kanchanaburi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samet or Kanchanaburi?

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

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

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?

Kanchanaburi

If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.

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 Bicycle Tours in Thailand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Kanchanaburi, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.

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 Kanchanaburi Expensive?.

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

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 Kanchanaburi in the Summer?

Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi year-round.

July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Kanchanaburi. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Kanchanaburi. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 176 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Kanchanaburi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Kanchanaburi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. Also, July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi 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 more rain than Kanchanaburi. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Kanchanaburi during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Kanchanaburi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Kanchanaburi. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year.

Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Kanchanaburi. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the winter, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Kanchanaburi. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 276 hours of full sun.

In January, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Kanchanaburi in the Spring?

Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Kanchanaburi is November to May. In April, Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kanchanaburi. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Kanchanaburi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Kanchanaburi during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Kanchanaburi. Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 32°C (89°F).

Typical Weather for Kanchanaburi and Koh Samet