Which place is cheaper, Rotorua 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.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
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?
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Rotorua $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $114. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Rotorua $4.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $186
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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 $54Rotorua $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $117
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Rotorua $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mini Golf Experience: $12
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $26
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $28
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $29
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $29
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $30
- Authentic Kiwi Farm Experience at the Agrodome: $34
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $35
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided Walk: $38
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Entry Ticket: $38
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Kiwi Encounter Tour: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Rotorua, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Samet is in Asia and Rotorua is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.
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 Rotorua Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Rotorua?
Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?
Both Rotorua 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, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Koh Samet is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Koh Samet is generally much warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Rotorua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Rotorua. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua 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, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Koh Samet is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
In April, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.