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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Arrowtown?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Arrowtown? 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 rainforest-covered, lush, and laid back resort island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a quirky, historic, and charming town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Koh Samui and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Arrowtown?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Arrowtown than Koh Samui, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Arrowtown is better known for its skiing, museums, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Koh Samui is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Koh Samui is more touristy than Arrowtown and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Arrowtown is well known for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes. Also, Arrowtown is famous for the Chinese Settlement.

How is Koh Samui different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Koh Samui or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a great town for skiing. However, Koh Samui is not a skiing destination.

Arrowtown draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Koh Samui is not a skiing destination.

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

Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Arrowtown can be difficult as they are each great in their own way.

Koh Samui has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arrowtown makes for a great culinary experience. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Koh Samui or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

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

Koh Samui is a must-see party destination. 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.

Arrowtown has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Koh Samui or Arrowtown Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Arrowtown is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Koh Samui is a perfect choice. 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.

Arrowtown is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Arrowtown is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Koh Samui. 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.

Arrowtown is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Arrowtown Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is terrific for its beaches. However, Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Koh Samui is a very popular vacation 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.

Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Samui or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

Arrowtown is a great town for its historic old town charm. However, Koh Samui does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Arrowtown. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Koh Samui does not have a historic old town.

Is Koh Samui or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is an amazing town to visit for hiking. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for the nearby hiking options.

People visit Arrowtown specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Koh Samui is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Arrowtown?

Arrowtown is a great town 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 Arrowtown. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

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 Arrowtown Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Koh Samui or Arrowtown.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Koh Samui. 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.

Arrowtown is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Is Koh Samui or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Koh Samui and Arrowtown make for a great place to visit.

Koh Samui is a great resort island if you're traveling as 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.

Arrowtown is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

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

For backpackers, both Koh Samui and Arrowtown are great places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Koh Samui. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arrowtown. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

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

Koh Samui and Arrowtown both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Koh Samui offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Arrowtown has a few public transit options. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Koh Samui or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Arrowtown is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable town. Parts of the town are fun 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 Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Arrowtown?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Samui or Arrowtown to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Samui than Arrowtown because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arrowtown.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arrowtown than Koh Samui 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 Arrowtown.

One day in Koh Samui or Arrowtown?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort island of Koh Samui. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Even though Arrowtown is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arrowtown has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Samui or Arrowtown?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Koh Samui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arrowtown is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Arrowtown?

You'll find nightlife and food around the tropical resort island of Koh Samui. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort island has to offer.

Arrowtown is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Samui or Arrowtown?

Koh Samui is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Samui, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arrowtown is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Arrowtown, we can see that Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Arrowtown?

Koh Samui has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Arrowtown, 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.