Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Koh Samui?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samui or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Boracay? 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.
Where Should I go: Koh Samui or Boracay?
Koh Samui
The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $55Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $55, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Samui and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $24Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $48Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Boracay? 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 Samui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $17Boracay $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.05
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Gas for Scooter$1.09
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Airport Taxi$12
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$11
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Chaweng,Koh Samui HTL-APT (USM): $12
- ATV And Zipline Experience on Koh Samui with Transfer: $110
- Guided Zipline Adventure in Ko Samui with Round Trip Transfer: $71
- Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $23
- Koh Samui Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $26
- Koh Samui Airport Departure – Shared Transfer: $15
- Koh Samui Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer : $14
- Ethical Elephant Home Guided Tour with Transfers: $81
- Half-Day Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $23
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui: $15
- Private Airport pickup and transfer to Conrad: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Departure: Speedboat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $22
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Koh Samui 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 Samui $19Boracay $14
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.86
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Romantic 4-Course Dinner for Two on the Beach by the Amari Samui: $43
- Thai Cooking Class at Melati Beach Resort & Spa: $59
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise by RED BARON: $60
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $61
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $68
- Thai Cooking Class & Organic Micro Farm Experience - Farm to Table. Since 2015: $69
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $72
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $72
- Koh Samui Jungle Kitchen - Half Day Cooking Class: $78
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour: $80
- Red Baron Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise: $89
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $10Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island : $23
- 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $24
- Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $24
- Angthong National Marine Park Tour by Large Boat: $26
- City Tour Around Koh Samui: $27
- Mu Ko Ang Thong Park Cruise with Kayaking Option: $29
- Ang Thong National Marine Park Tour by Big Boat from Koh Samui: $30
- Original Discovery Tour: $31
- Private Customized Tour with Driver in Koh Samui: $33
- Admission Ticket to High Park Samui: $34
- Angthong National Marine Park by Tour Boat including Lunch: $35
- Koh Samui Private Customized Tour with Driver: $36
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $17
- Aklan Tibiao Antique Tour : $190
- Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $63
- Best Boracay Sunset Party Boat Experience: $45
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.03
- Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
- Boracay Buggy Car Adventure: $105
- Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
- Boracay Hopping Tour with Standard Boodle Fight Lunch: $36
- Boracay Island Hopping +Banana Boat (Shared Tour): $42
- Boracay Island Hopping +Parasailing (SharedTour): $71
- Boracay Island Hopping with Lunch+ Atv Mainland Adventure: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $4.63Boracay $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Koh Samui
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Koh Samui:
- Private 4x4 Off-Road Island Safari + Rum Distillery Visit & Tasting: $296
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Boracay, we can see that Boracay 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Boracay?
Koh Samui has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Boracay, 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.
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.