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

Should you visit Koh Samet or Vientiane?

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

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

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?

Vientiane

You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.

While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.

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 Vientiane, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.

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 Vientiane Expensive?.

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Koh Samet or Vientiane in the Summer?

Both Vientiane 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. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 28°C (82°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Vientiane in the Autumn?

Both Vientiane 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Vientiane. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Vientiane in the Winter?

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

In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane 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 Vientiane during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samet in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).

Should I visit Koh Samet or Vientiane in the Spring?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. 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 Vientiane. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun.

It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 29°C (84°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

Typical Weather for Vientiane and Koh Samet