Which place is cheaper, Koh Samui or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Koh Samui?
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 Samui, 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 Samui?
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 Samui
The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Koh Samui $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Koh Samui is $55. 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 Samui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Koh Samui $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Koh Samui $48
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Koh Samui
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Koh Samui? 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 Koh Samui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Koh Samui $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.05
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Gas for Scooter$1.09
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Airport Taxi$12
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$11
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Samui International Airport (USM) Arrival Shared Transfer: $11
- Samui International Airport (USM) Departure Shared Transfer: $11
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Chaweng, Koh Samui APT-HTL (USM): $12
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Chaweng,Koh Samui HTL-APT (USM): $12
- Koh Samui Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer : $14
- Koh Samui Airport Departure – Shared Transfer: $15
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui: $15
- Private Departure Transfer: From Hotel to Koh Samui Airport by Car: $20
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $23
- Half-Day Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $23
- Koh Samui Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $26
- Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Koh Samui?
Prices for flights to both Koh Samui 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 $27Koh Samui $19
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.86
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Romantic 4-Course Dinner for Two on the Beach by the Amari Samui: $43
- Thai Cooking Class at Melati Beach Resort & Spa: $59
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise by RED BARON: $60
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $61
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $68
- Thai Cooking Class & Organic Micro Farm Experience - Farm to Table. Since 2015: $69
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $72
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $72
- Koh Samui Jungle Kitchen - Half Day Cooking Class: $78
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour: $80
- Red Baron Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise: $89
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Koh Samui $10
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island : $23
- 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $24
- Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $24
- Angthong National Marine Park Tour by Large Boat: $26
- City Tour Around Koh Samui: $27
- Mu Ko Ang Thong Park Cruise with Kayaking Option: $29
- Ang Thong National Marine Park Tour by Big Boat from Koh Samui: $30
- Original Discovery Tour: $31
- Private Customized Tour with Driver in Koh Samui: $33
- Admission Ticket to High Park Samui: $34
- Angthong National Marine Park by Tour Boat including Lunch: $35
- Koh Samui Private Customized Tour with Driver: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Koh Samui $4.63
Sample the Local Flavors in Koh Samui
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Koh Samui:
- Private 4x4 Off-Road Island Safari + Rum Distillery Visit & Tasting: $296
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Koh Samui, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui.
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 Samui Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Koh Samui?
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 Koh Samui in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Koh Samui. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Koh Samui. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Koh Samui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Samui in the Autumn?
Both Koh Samui 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February. The rainy season in Koh Samui is October to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Koh Samui. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Koh Samui 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Samui in the Winter?
Both Koh Samui 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Koh Samui. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samet is a little warmer than Koh Samui in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Koh Samui fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Koh Samui 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Samui in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Koh Samui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Koh Samui. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Koh Samui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Samui and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Koh Samui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.