Which place is cheaper, Xiamen 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 Xiamen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
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?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
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 China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Xiamen $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $84. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Xiamen $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Xiamen? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Xiamen $6.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $54Xiamen $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Xiamen $16
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
- Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
- Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Xiamen $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Xiamen, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
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 Xiamen Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
Both Xiamen 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 Xiamen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Xiamen averages at about 30°C (86°F).
Xiamen 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 more rain in July than Xiamen. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Xiamen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.
In October, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Xiamen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Xiamen. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Samet is much warmer than Xiamen in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Xiamen. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Xiamen in the Spring?
Both Xiamen 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 Xiamen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Xiamen averages at about 20°C (69°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Xiamen. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.