A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samet vs. Kobe for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samet or Kobe?

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

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

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?

Kobe

Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.

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 from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kobe 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $130. 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 Kobe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $37
    Kobe $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $74
    Kobe $126
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Kobe

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Kobe? 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.

Hotels in Koh Samet


Hotels in Kobe


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 Kobe Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $79
    Kobe $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe

Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Kobe Airport UKB to Osaka and Kobe City: $58
  • Kobe hotels to Kobe Airport (UKB) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
  • Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Private Transfer from Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe Cruise Port: $71
  • Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport (UKB): $71
  • Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $71
  • Kobe to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $76
  • Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport (UKB): $91
  • Arima Onsen Resorts to Osaka Airport (ITM) Departure Transfer: $111
  • Kobe City: Private transfer to/from Itami Airport: $115
  • Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Car: $144

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Kobe?

Prices for flights to both Kobe 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Koh Samet $54
    Kobe $54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe

For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Okonomiyaki Cooking Class: Create Your Own Savory Pancake: $55
  • Kobe Home Cooking Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class: $61
  • Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
  • Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $72
  • Discover Kobe's Flavors On A Cooking Class: $76
  • Kobe Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $95
  • Cooking Class with Kobe Beef Sukiyaki and Origami: $101
  • Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $223
  • Private tour in Kobe with beef dinner: $487

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $10
    Kobe $24

Tours and Activities in Kobe

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.

  • ANCHOR Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
  • Port Tower Admission Ticket: $6.76
  • ANCHOR Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.84
  • Rokko Forest Sound Museum Admission Ticket: $9.46
  • Classic Kobe GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
  • Kobe Port Tower Entry Ticket: $18
  • Private Ring Craft Experience in Kobe: $23
  • Make Your Own Personalized Ring in Kobe - UniqueJewelryExperience: $25
  • Sorakuen Garden Guided Walking Tour: $43
  • Bar Hopping Tour with a Local Guide: $46
  • Arima Onsen History Tour: $46
  • Kobe City Highlights Guided Tour - Shrine, Port, Tower: $47

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $5.38
    Kobe $8.87

Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:

  • Private Sake Tour and Tasting at a Kobe Brewery: $82
  • Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $87
  • Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting Sake: $88
  • KOBE Sake brewery PRIVATE walking tour with Local guide: $89
  • Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting and Kobe Beef Bites: $108
  • 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $186


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Kobe, we can see that Koh Samet 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Kobe Expensive?.



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

Kobe 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 Kobe in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Kobe. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Kobe in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Kobe. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Kobe averages at about 27°C (80°F).

In the summer, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kobe. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kobe. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Kobe. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samet 28°C (82°F) 
    Kobe 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Kobe in the Autumn?

Both Kobe and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kobe during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Kobe. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samet 27°C (81°F) 
    Kobe 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Kobe in the Winter?

Both Kobe and Koh Samet during the winter 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, the winter months attract visitors to Kobe because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Koh Samet is much warmer than Kobe in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Kobe fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. In the winter, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 140 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Kobe. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samet 25°C (77°F) 
    Kobe 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Kobe in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Kobe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Kobe this time of year.

In the spring, Koh Samet is much warmer than Kobe. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Kobe averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kobe receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Kobe. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samet 29°C (84°F) 
    Kobe 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Kobe and Koh Samet

Koh Samet Kobe
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 5°C (42°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 9°C (47°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 15°C (58°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 219 mm (8.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)


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