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

Should you visit Koh Samet or Shenzhen?

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

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

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?

Shenzhen

Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions.  It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.

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 Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen 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 $133, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $140. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $37
    Shenzhen $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $74
    Shenzhen $182
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Shenzhen

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $79
    Shenzhen $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
  • shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
  • [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
  • A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
  • Private Transfer in Shenzhen with English Service: $35
  • A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland: $36
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer and Ongoing Travel Assistance: $39
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer from Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer - Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Port: $47
  • Private Transfer - Kai Tak Cruise Port to Hong Kong Airport (HKG): $47
  • Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Shenzhen?

Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 $54
    Shenzhen $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $53
  • Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
  • Explore Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour: $103
  • Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Eats on a Tin Hau Food Tour: $109
  • Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $116
  • Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
  • Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
  • The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
  • Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $177
  • Asian Favorites Cooking Class in Hong Kong (4-Course Meal): $184
  • Hong Kong Style Noodles Cooking Class (Includes 4-Course Meal): $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $10
    Shenzhen $17

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Day in the life of a Hong Konger: Kowloon Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Between Two Systems: Hong Kong's Living History Tip Based Tour: $2.64
  • Hong kong City Tour w/ Entry Fees & Lunch (2024) | 150+ booked: $2.64
  • Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $5.45
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $10
  • Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $13
  • Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Entry Ticket: $13
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
  • Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $15
  • The Victoria Peak Tram Ticket | Hong Kong: $15
  • Hong Kong Palace Museum Ticket: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $5.38
    Shenzhen $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen

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

  • Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $46


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive?.



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

Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen in the Summer?

Both Shenzhen 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.

In the summer, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 30°C (85°F).

In Shenzhen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Shenzhen. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 231 hours of full sun.

Shenzhen 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 less rain in July than Shenzhen. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samet 28°C (82°F) 
    Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Shenzhen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Shenzhen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.

In October, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Shenzhen during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 190 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samet 27°C (81°F) 
    Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Shenzhen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Shenzhen. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Koh Samet is much warmer than Shenzhen in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 16°C (60°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 Shenzhen. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 140 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Shenzhen. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samet 25°C (77°F) 
    Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Shenzhen in the Spring?

Both Shenzhen 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.

In the spring, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Shenzhen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Shenzhen during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 95 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samet 29°C (84°F) 
    Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Koh Samet

Koh Samet Shenzhen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 325 mm (12.8 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 29°C (83°F) 382 mm (15 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 30°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 29°C (85°F) 393 mm (15.5 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 300 mm (11.8 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in) 21°C (70°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)


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