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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Hobart?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Hobart? 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 laid back, beautiful, and tropical resort island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Hobart

Hobart is a fascinating, quaint, and historical city. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Koh Samui and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Hobart?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koh Samui. Although Koh Samui and Hobart are both popular with visitors, Koh Samui has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koh Samui is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Hobart is known for its museums and shopping. Koh Samui is more touristy than Hobart and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. It is also home to The Big Buddha Temple. Hobart is popular for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails.

How is Koh Samui different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Hobart is a great city for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Hobart offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Hobart can be difficult as they are each excellent 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, Hobart makes for a great culinary experience. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

Is Koh Samui or Hobart Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Koh Samui is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hobart. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

Is Koh Samui or Hobart Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Hobart is not a resort destination.

Koh Samui is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Hobart is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Samui is great for its diving and snorkeling. However, Hobart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Samui is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Hobart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Hobart Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is renowned for the beache. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

Koh Samui is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Samui or Hobart Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Koh Samui and Hobart both have excellent trails.

Many visitors go to Koh Samui for the hiking trails. 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.

Hobart is a popular spot for hiking. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Hobart?

Hobart is a great city 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 Hobart. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

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 Hobart Better for Families?

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

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.

Hobart is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

Is Koh Samui or Hobart Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Koh Samui and Hobart make for a excellent 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.

Hobart is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

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

Koh Samui is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hobart. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

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

Koh Samui and Hobart both offer good 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.

Hobart has a few public transit options. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Is Koh Samui or Hobart a more walkable city?

Hobart is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Hobart is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring 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 Hobart Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Hobart?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Samui and Hobart. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Samui than in Hobart. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hobart.

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

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

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

One day in Koh Samui or Hobart?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Koh Samui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Hobart. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

A weekend in Koh Samui or Hobart?

Koh Samui is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Hobart. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Hobart?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Samui. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Hobart. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Samui or Hobart?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the tropical destination of Koh Samui. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Hobart is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Hobart?

Hobart has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Hobart, 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 Hobart?

Hobart 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 Hobart in the Summer?

Both Hobart and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Hobart for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Hobartin January. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In July, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Hobartin January. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Hobart in the Autumn?

Both Hobart and Koh Samui during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Hobart because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Hobart in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Hobart fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Hobartin April. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui. October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Hobart in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Hobart. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hobart this time of year.

In the winter, Koh Samui is much warmer than Hobart. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Hobart averages at about 9°C (47°F)in July.

In January, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Hobartin July. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Hobart in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Hobart. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Hobartin October. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Koh Samui usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Hobartin October. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hobart and Koh Samui