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

Should you visit Koh Samet or Newcastle?

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

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

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?

Newcastle

Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.

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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Newcastle 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 $127, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $125. 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 Newcastle in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $35
    Newcastle $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $70
    Newcastle $96
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Newcastle

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle


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 Newcastle Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $75
    Newcastle $8.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:

  • Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
  • Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle city hotels: $78
  • Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $144
  • Private Transfer - Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney Airport (SYD): $243

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Newcastle?

Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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 $52
    Newcastle $66

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.

  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $69
  • Earp Distilling Co: Date Night with Blending Class & Dinner: $73
  • Cooking Classes at the Yellow Door Kitchen: $128
  • Date Night with Blending Class and Dinner: $158

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $9.87
    Newcastle $16

Tours and Activities in Newcastle

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:

  • Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $15
  • True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $22
  • Mead and Honey Tasting Experience: $23
  • Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $24
  • Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $28
  • Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise: $33
  • Family Pass Fighter World Museum Admission Ticket: $34
  • Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $43
  • Tree Ropes Course Adventure: $46
  • Lake Macquarie Cruise with Lunch: $46
  • Shared Newcastle Harbour Cruise: $53
  • Humpback Whale Watching Cruise and Harbor Tour: $56

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $5.15
    Newcastle $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle

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

  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting: $11
  • Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $12
  • A Spectacular Bar Crawl in Newcastle: $15
  • Cael's Gate Reserve Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $18
  • Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $25
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $28
  • Wonnarua Sparkling Wine Tasting: $32
  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Premium Wine Tasting: $32
  • Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $36
  • Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $38
  • Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $38
  • Wine Tasting in Pokolbin with Foodie Adventure: $43


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Newcastle, 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. Even though Koh Samet is in Asia and Newcastle is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Newcastle Expensive?.



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

Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?

Both Newcastle and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Newcastle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Newcastle. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Newcastle during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Newcastlein January. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Koh Samet 28°C (82°F) 
    Newcastle 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Newcastle in the Autumn?

Both Newcastle and Koh Samet during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Newcastlein April. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein April. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun.

Newcastle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Newcastlein April. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Koh Samet 27°C (81°F) 
    Newcastle 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Newcastle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

Koh Samet is much warmer than Newcastle in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Newcastle during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Newcastlein July. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Koh Samet 25°C (77°F) 
    Newcastle 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Newcastle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Newcastle. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Newcastle for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Koh Samet is much warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Newcastle averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastlein October. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet usually gets less rain in April than Newcastlein October. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Koh Samet 29°C (84°F) 
    Newcastle 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Newcastle and Koh Samet

Koh Samet Newcastle
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 21°C (71°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in) 20°C (67°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)


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