Which place is cheaper, Harbin 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Koh Samui or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Harbin? 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 Harbin?
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.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
-
Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $77Harbin $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $77, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $69. 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 Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Harbin $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Harbin $44
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Harbin? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Harbin $1.60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
-
Scooter Rental$2.30
-
Gas for Scooter$1.23
-
Airport Taxi$14
-
Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
-
Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Thrilling 2 Hour ATV Jungle with Hotel Transfer from Koh Samui: $88
- The Red Baron Luxury Yacht Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $166
- The Jungle Club or The Roof Samui Table Reservation with Transfer: $94
- Smooth Koh Samui to Krabi Catamaran and Bus or Van Transfer: $52
- Smooth Koh Phangan to Phuket Transfer by Catamaran and Bus: $66
- Private round trip Transfers from Samui Airport: $38
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Taling Ngam: $69
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Samui City: $50
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Mae Nam: $69
- Private Transfer from Mae Nam to Samui (USM) Airport: $69
- Private Transfer from Lamai to Samui (USM) Airport: $39
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui island hotels to Ko Samui Port: $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service: $148
- Harbin Sun Island Snow Fair tickets and Transfer Service: $128
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin central to Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB): $123
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin North Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $100
- Harbin Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Harbin Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $88
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKoh Samui $38Harbin $26
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.60
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:
- Samui Suppers Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Coconut Corners Samui Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Half Day Pig Island Snorkeling Trip with Sunset Dinner from Samui: $60
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $79
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $79
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $80
- Thai Cooking Class | Since 2012 | Farm to Table: $82
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group: $82
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Transfer: $85
- Thai Cooking Class from Koh Samui with Local Market: $86
- Romantic Evening on Koh Samui’s Sunset Dinner Cruise: $107
- Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui The Red Baron: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $150
- Private Full Day Tour to Harbin Beifang Forest Zoo and Optional Seafood Dinner: $261
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Harbin $56
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Adventure in Koh Samui Mountain Viewpoints: $88
- 2 Hours ATV Quad Bike Popular Tour From Koh Samui: $111
- 2-Hour Koh Samui ATV Quad Tour: $58
- 2.5-Hours ATV Jungle Adventure Experience from Koh Phangan: $121
- 3 Hour ATV Secret Waterfall Adventure in Koh Samui: $110
- 4 Hour Ultimate ATV Jungle Tour in Koh Samui Lunch Included: $141
- 4WD Jungle Safari Tour in Koh Samui with Lunch: $50
- 6 Hours Elephant Care and Jungle Tour by 4WD in Koh Samui: $62
- ATV 1.5 Hours Jungle Safari Tour On Koh Phangan: $76
- ATV 2 hrs. Jungle Adventure on the Mountain Way in Koh Samui: $63
- ATV Jungle & Mountain Trails 30-Min Off-Road Adventure Koh Samui: $47
- Adventure Kayaking at Angthong Marine Park: $116
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- 1-day Harbin Private Car Charter Service: Custom Downtown Tour: $87
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- Admission Ticket to Ice and Snow World: $75
- Full Day Harbin Private Tour: $160
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $120
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin City Walking Sightseeing: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.21Harbin $8.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Harbin, we can see that Koh Samui 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 Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Harbin, 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 Harbin?
Harbin 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 Harbin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
In July, Koh Samui is generally around the same temperature as Harbin. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samui usually receives around the same amount of rain as Harbin. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Harbin. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Samui is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 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.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin 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.
Harbin can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Koh Samui is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Harbin. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin 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.
In April, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Koh Samui usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
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.