Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Osaka, 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 Osaka?
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?
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Osaka $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $88. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Osaka $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Osaka? 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 Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Osaka $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Osaka Itami Airport to/from Osaka City: Shared Transfer: $23
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $25
- Private Transfer by Sedan from Itama Airport ITM to Osaka City : $58
- Kuchu Teien Observatory Ticket with Private Transfer: $62
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $66
- Osaka Int Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Private Transfer from Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka Cruise Port: $66
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $66
- Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $68
- Osaka to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $70
- TeamLab Botanical Garden Ticket and Private Transfer: $71
- Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 $27Osaka $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $25
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $26
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $36
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $49
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $61
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka: $63
- Osaka Authentic Tempura & Miso Soup Japan Cooking Class: $64
- RAMEN and 2 types GYOZA (dumplings) Cooking Class: $65
- Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda : $65
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Osaka $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket: $3.79
- Table Tennis Experience with Local Players: $4.42
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.42
- Ryurei Teicha: Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) Experience in Osaka: $5.05
- Osaka Sakishima Observatory Advance Ticket: $5.68
- Dotonbori District Sightseeing Cruise & Beer Discount: $7.58
- Tsutenkaku Entry Ticket: $7.67
- Umeda Sky Building E-Ticket: $9.47
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $11
- Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory Entry Ticket: $12
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum:Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing Experience: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $30
- Osaka Evening: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $32
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $38
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $39
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Osaka, 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 Osaka Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Osaka?
Osaka 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 Osaka in the Summer?
Both Osaka and Koh Samet during the summer 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 city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
In the summer, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Osaka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Osaka averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In the summer, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Osaka. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 183 hours of full sun.
Osaka 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 July than Osaka. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Osaka 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Osaka in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Osaka. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Also, many travelers come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Osaka during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Osaka receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Osaka. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Osaka 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Osaka in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Osaka. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Osaka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Koh Samet is much warmer than Osaka in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Osaka fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the winter, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 140 hours of full sun.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Osaka. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Osaka 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Osaka in the Spring?
Both Osaka and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Osaka for the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Koh Samet is much warmer than Osaka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Osaka averages at about 15°C (59°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Osaka. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Osaka 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Osaka and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Osaka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.