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

Should you visit Koh Samet or Vang Vieng?

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

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

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?

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Vang Vieng, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.

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 Vang Vieng Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Vang Vieng?

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 Vang Vieng in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Vang Vieng. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.

Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Vang Vieng. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Vang Vieng. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 141 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Koh Samet or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?

Both Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Vang Vieng. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Vang Vieng during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Vang Vieng in the Winter?

Both Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng year-round.

Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Vang Vieng. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Vang Vieng, 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 Vang Vieng. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 254 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Vang Vieng in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Vang Vieng in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Vang Vieng. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Koh Samet