Which place is cheaper, Cochin or Koh Samui?
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 Samui or Cochin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Cochin? 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 Cochin?
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.
Cochin
Cochin is a large city in Kerala, India. It's a cosmopolitan commercial port city with a population of over two million and is a major tourist destination. The city has a diverse population that has migrated from elsewhere in Kerala, as well as the rest of India. The city continues to become more cosmopolitan with fashion shifting to western styles. There are also many large shopping malls as well as an enthusiasm for sports such as football (soccer) or cricket.
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 India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesCochin Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $76Cochin $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $76, while the average daily cost in Cochin is $40. 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 Cochin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $25Cochin $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $50Cochin $26
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Cochin
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Cochin? 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 and Cochin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Cochin $9.19
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$2.28
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Gas for Scooter$1.22
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Airport Taxi$13
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ATV And Zipline Experience on Koh Samui with Transfer: $112
- Angthong Catamaran Tour from Koh Samui with Lunch and Transfers: $77
- Ferry Transfers between Ko Pha-ngan and Koh Tao: $21
- Ferry Transfers between Koh Samui and Koh Tao: $26
- Full Moon Party in Speedboat Transfer From Samui: $60
- Full Moon Party in Speedboat Transfer From Samui: $49
- Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Round Trip Private Transfer: $35
- Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $17
- Koh Pha Ngan to Phuket Scenic Catamaran and Bus Transfer: $61
- Koh Phangan to Krabi Hassle Free Catamaran and Bus Transfer: $52
- Koh Phangan to Krabi Transfer by Catamaran and Bus: $56
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Cochin?
Prices for flights to both Cochin 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 $37Cochin $19
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)$6.54
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:
- Koh Samui Local Market Hin Ta Hin Yai and Beach Dinner: $36
- Samui Suppers Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $78
- Thai Cooking Class | Farm to Table: $78
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Market Tour: $78
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $79
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $80
- Thai Cooking Class from Koh Samui with Local Market: $86
- Romantic Evening on Koh Samui’s Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
- Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui The Red Baron: $109
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $112
- Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Cochin $9.05
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.02
- Sky Bicycle Jungle Adventure Tour from Koh Samui: $14
- Paris Follies Cabaret Evening Entertainment Ticket from Koh Samui: $20
- Create Your Own Crystal Aroma Oil Ritual Experience: $20
- Samui: Double Seater Karting: Share the Driving Experience: $22
- Koh Samui Half Day Island Guided Tour: $23
- Koh Samui Chaweng Beach Nightlife Walking Tour: $24
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island: $25
- Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $28
- Angthong National Marine Park by Highsea Tour (Official): $30
- City Tour Around Koh Samui: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.16Cochin $7.79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Cochin, we can see that Koh Samui is more expensive. And not only is Cochin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cochin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cochin 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 Samui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samui than you might in Cochin.
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 Cochin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Cochin?
Cochin has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Cochin, 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.