Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Wellington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Wellington, 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 Wellington?
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?
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Wellington $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $103. 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 Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Wellington $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Wellington $120
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Wellington? 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 Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Wellington $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington 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 $27Wellington $29
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Wellington $16
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.53
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket: $8.91
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Guided Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Mana Māori Tour: $12
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Small Group Guided Tour: $14
- Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $16
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
- Wētā Workshop Experience in Wellington: $33
- Wētā Workshop Experience and Guided Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Wellington $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $95
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $356
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Wellington, we can see that Wellington 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. Even though Koh Samet is in Asia and Wellington is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Wellington Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Wellington?
Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?
Both Wellington 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Koh Samet is much warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin January. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Wellington in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Koh Samet is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.
Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wellington during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin April. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Wellington in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Wellington. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
In January, Koh Samet is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°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 Wellingtonin July. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Wellington. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Wellington in the Spring?
Both Wellington 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, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches.
Koh Samet is much warmer than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin October. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.