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

Should you visit Koh Samet or Koh Lipe?

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

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

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?

Koh Lipe

Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Lipe or Koh Samet?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Koh Lipe is $85. 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 Koh Lipe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $32
    Koh Lipe $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $64
    Koh Lipe $88
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Koh Lipe

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Koh Lipe? 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 Koh Lipe


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 Koh Lipe Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $68
    Koh Lipe $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:

  • Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Koh Lipe?

Prices for flights to both Koh Lipe 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 $27
    Koh Lipe $26

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $8.96
    Koh Lipe $23

Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe

Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hours Tour Sunset Cruise Around Lipe: $15
  • Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $21
  • Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $24
  • Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $25
  • Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $111

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $4.68
    Koh Lipe $8.18


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Koh Lipe, 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 Koh Lipe Expensive?.



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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Lipe in the Summer?

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

Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Koh Lipe. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samet 28°C (82°F) 
    Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Lipe in the Autumn?

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

Also, December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. May to October in Koh Lipe is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Koh Lipe. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samet 27°C (81°F) 
    Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Lipe in the Winter?

Both Koh Lipe 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Koh Lipe. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Lipe averages at about 27°C (80°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samet 25°C (77°F) 
    Koh Lipe 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Lipe in the Spring?

Both Koh Lipe 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round.

December to April is the dry season in Koh Lipe. May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in April than Koh Lipe. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Koh Lipe. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samet 29°C (84°F) 
    Koh Lipe 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Lipe and Koh Samet

Koh Samet Koh Lipe
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 29°C (85°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 244 mm (9.6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 262 mm (10.3 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 355 mm (14 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 281 mm (11.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in) 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 27°C (80°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)