A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samui vs. Adelaide for Nightlife, Beaches, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Koh Samui or Adelaide?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Adelaide? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a laid back, beautiful, and tropical resort island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a under-rated, elegant, and welcoming city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Koh Samui and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Adelaide?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Samui than Adelaide, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Samui is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Adelaide is more popular for its museums and shopping. Koh Samui is more touristy than Adelaide and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Also, Koh Samui is famous for The Big Buddha Temple. Adelaide is well known for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Koh Samui different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Adelaide and Koh Samui. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Samui or Adelaide?

Adelaide is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Adelaide. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Koh Samui or Adelaide? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Koh Samui. Food on the island is fresh and delicious. You'll find fine dining restaurants as well as hole in the wall dives where you can enjoy local flavors. There are also international restaurants if you need a break from the curries. Beachfront restaurants offer a beautiful setting and sunset dinner cruises are a not to be missed experience. Authentically local dishes usually include some form of coconut but there are also other common Thai dishes available almost anywhere like curries or Pad Thai.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Adelaide. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is renowned for nightlife. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Koh Samui is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. All night beach parties, cheap bars, and lively dance clubs all give this island its party atmosphere. Young travelers from around the globe head here to enjoy music, cheap drinks, and world class fun. For the most active nightlife, head to Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach or Bophut Beach.

Adelaide has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Adelaide is not a resort destination.

Koh Samui is a world class resort vacation destination. The island is filled with countless resorts, hotels, and private villas that you can rent. You can choose from beachfront properties or resorts that are located in the hills, which offer beautiful views. The resorts often have pools and range from five star all the way down to budget-friendly.

Adelaide is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Samui is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. It's easy to arrange snorkeling or scuba diving trips through hotels or travel companies, but it's also possible to snorkel right off the shore in places like Chaweng Beach. Due to the island's popularity, the coral isn't always the healthiest, but the water is clear and you'll likely see some interesting sea life just off the shore.

Adelaide is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is renowned for its beaches. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beache.

Koh Samui is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The white sand beaches are lined with coconut trees and look out on crystal blue waters, making this a perfect tropical destination. There are lively activity-filled beaches as well as quiet retreats where you can enjoy a peaceful setting away from the crowds.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful beaches. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Samui. Hikes will take you inland through the beautiful rainforest. There are hidden waterfalls as well as Buddha gardens and ridge trails with breathtaking views. Hikes range from easy to challenging, so make sure you understand the skill level required before you set out.

Adelaide offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Adelaide?

Adelaide is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Adelaide. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Koh Samui is a great destination for shopping. The resort areas have the most interesting shops and you'll find the most options around Chaweng. There are boutique shops as well as some malls. You can sometimes negotiate prices down in independently run stores, but some places advertise fixed prices.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Families?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Koh Samui is a very family-friendly destination. The island is one of the slightly calmer, family-friendly options in Thailand. It has a number of activities that all ages can enjoy including water parks, water sports, and temples to explore. Snorkeling is also fun and there's an aquarium and zoo that you can check out.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Adelaide. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Couples?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for romance. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Koh Samui makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dinner cruises, beachfront restaurants, and beautiful sunsets all make this island a romantic destination for couples. There are also spas, resorts, and fine dining restaurants that you can enjoy.

Adelaide makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Koh Samui is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The island feels a bit more like a holiday destination than a backpacker destination, but it still has a lively nightlife and affordable accommodation around Lamai Beach. It's also a nice place to go for yoga or Muay Thai classes.

Plenty of backpackers visit Adelaide. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Students?

Adelaide is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Samui is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Adelaide. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Koh Samui is not popular with students.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Adelaide is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for its public transit.

The public transit in Adelaide can get you to most places easily. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Koh Samui has a few public transit options. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Is Koh Samui or Adelaide a more walkable city?

Adelaide is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Adelaide is a very walkable destination. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Koh Samui is generally not very walkable. The roads have a good amount of traffic and generally aren't designed for walking.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Samui Worth Visiting? and Is Adelaide Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Koh Samui or Adelaide. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Koh Samui due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 2-4 days is enough time in Adelaide.

Families should spend more time in Koh Samui than Adelaide. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Koh Samui, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Koh Samui than Adelaide. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Samui that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Samui than Adelaide if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Koh Samui.

One day in Koh Samui or Adelaide?

The beautiful resort island of Koh Samui offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Adelaide. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Samui or Adelaide?

Koh Samui is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the elegant destination of Adelaide. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Adelaide?

Koh Samui is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Samui, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Adelaide. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Samui or Adelaide?

Koh Samui is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Samui has to offer. This resort island offers something for everyone.

Adelaide is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Adelaide, we can see that Adelaide is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Samui is in Asia and Adelaide is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui 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 Adelaide would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adelaide than you might in Koh Samui.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samui Expensive? and Is Adelaide Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Adelaide, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Koh Samui or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Samui experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Adelaide in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Adelaide. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Also, most visitors come to Adelaide for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Adelaide. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samui in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Adelaide averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.

Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Adelaidein January. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Adelaide in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Adelaide. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Adelaidein April. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (75°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Adelaidein April. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. October to December in Koh Samui is the rainy season.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Adelaide in the Winter?

Both Adelaide and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Adelaide in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Adelaide fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in July.

In January, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Adelaidein July. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Adelaide in the Spring?

Both Adelaide and Koh Samui during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Adelaide for the beaches.

In the spring, Koh Samui is much warmer than Adelaide. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samui in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Adelaide averages at about 16°C (61°F)in October.

Koh Samui usually gets more rain in April than Adelaidein October. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Adelaide and Koh Samui