Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao 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 Tao?
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 Tao, 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 Tao?
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 Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
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 Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Koh Tao? 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 Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Koh Tao $8.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 Tao $9.21
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Koh Tao $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $125
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $278
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Koh Tao $7.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Koh Tao, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Tao.
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 Tao Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Koh Tao?
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 Tao in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Koh Tao. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Koh Tao. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun.
Koh Samet is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao 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 Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Koh Tao is October and November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Tao. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao 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 Tao year-round.
February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao. Koh Samet usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Koh Tao. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. In the winter, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.
In January, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. In April, Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Tao. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.
Koh Samet is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.