Should you visit Koh Samui or Boracay?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Boracay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Boracay or Koh Samui?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $50, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $50. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Koh Samui and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $42 in Koh Samui For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $21. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Boracay the cost is $42 on average.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Koh Samui cost around $18 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $7.20.
In Boracay travelers spend around $13 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Koh Samui $18
Boracay $13
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)
$6.61
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:
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Cooking Class with Herbal Garden by Amari Koh Samui:
$55
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Koh Samui Jungle Kitchen - Half Day Cooking Class:
$77
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Jungle Kitchen Cooking Class in Koh Samui:
$89
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Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer:
$122
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Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer:
$131
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4-Hour Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise:
$131
Local Transportation
Koh Samui's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $15 per person, per day on transportation in Koh Samui.
The cost of a taxi ride in Boracay is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $25 per person, per day, on local transportation in Boracay.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Guided Zipline Adventure in Ko Samui with Round Trip Transfer:
$87
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Koh Samui Paradise Park Farm Admission Ticket with Return Transfer:
$58
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Private Transfer from Choeng Mon Beach to Samui (USM) Airport:
$41
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The Red Baron Luxury Yacht Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer:
$181
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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Koh Samui can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $9.46 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Boracay typically cost an average of $14 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
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Ko Samui City Tour including Wat Phra Yai, Lat Ko Viewpoint, Hin Ta Hin Yai Rock:
$29
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Ko Samui City Tour including Wat Phra Yai, Lat Ko Viewpoint, Hin Ta Hin Yai Rock:
$29
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Ko Samui City Tour including Wat Phra Yai, Lat Ko Viewpoint, Hin Ta Hin Yai Rock:
$29
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Gulf of Thailand Fishing Challenge Tour from Ko Samui:
$52
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Koh Samui Jungle Mountain Adventure Tour:
$64
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Full-Day Koh Samui Jungle Mountain Adventure Tour with Lunch:
$64
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Pig Island Experience & Koh Tan by Speed Boat (Snorkeling, Relaxing, Sunset):
$66
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Koh Phangan Day Tour by Speed Boat from Koh Samui:
$70
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Koh Samui to Koh Taen and Koh Mudsum Day Tour with Snorkeling:
$70
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Koh Samui Island Tour by Boat:
$78
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Ko Samui Angthong Marine Park Full Day Tour : Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking:
$82
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Koh Samui Tour with all Terrain Vehicle:
$82
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Atv Mainland Adventure:
$25
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Koh Samui, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $4.18.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Boracay may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $15 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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.
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