A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samui vs. Jingdezhen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samui or Jingdezhen?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Jingdezhen? 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 Jingdezhen?

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.

Jingdezhen

Jingdezhen, China is a city located in the Jianxi Province in the southwestern part of the country. It is famous for being the "Porcelain Capital" due to a history of producing pottery for over 1,700 years. This city itself ignites memories of a time when Chinese craftsmanship was at it's peak thanks to their weekly craft shows and art village.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Jingdezhen or Koh Samui?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $55, while the average daily cost in Jingdezhen is $58. 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 Jingdezhen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samui $24
    Jingdezhen $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samui $48
    Jingdezhen $60
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Jingdezhen

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Jingdezhen? 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.

Hotels in Koh Samui


Hotels in Jingdezhen


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 $17
    Jingdezhen $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:


  • Scooter Rental
    $2.05
  • Gas for Scooter
    $1.09
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach
    $11
  • 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:

  • Samui International Airport (USM) Departure Shared Transfer: $11
  • Samui International Airport (USM) Arrival Shared Transfer: $11
  • Samui: Koh Samui Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer : $12
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Chaweng, Koh Samui APT-HTL (USM): $12
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Chaweng,Koh Samui HTL-APT (USM): $12
  • Koh Samui Private Airport Transfer: $13
  • Koh Samui Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer : $14
  • Koh Samui Airport Departure – Shared Transfer: $15
  • Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui: $15
  • Private Departure Transfer: From Hotel to Koh Samui Airport by Car: $20
  • Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $23
  • Half-Day Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Jingdezhen?

Prices for flights to both Jingdezhen 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 day
    Koh Samui $19
    Jingdezhen $20
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:


  • 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
  • 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
  • Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $69
  • Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $71
  • Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $72
  • Koh Samui Jungle Kitchen - Half Day Cooking Class: $77
  • Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour: $80
  • Red Baron Romantic Sunset Dinner Cruise: $88
  • 4-Hour Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise (SHA Plus): $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samui $10
    Jingdezhen $7.98

Tours and Activities in Koh Samui

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.

  • Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $22
  • Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island : $23
  • 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $23
  • Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $24
  • Angthong National Marine Park Tour by Large Boat: $26
  • Mu Ko Ang Thong Park Cruise with Kayaking Option: $29
  • Half Day Chiang Mai City Tour with Famous Temples and Viewpoint: $29
  • Original Discovery Tour: $30
  • Ang Thong National Marine Park Tour by Big Boat from Koh Samui: $30
  • Travstore Original Samui Discovery-Shared Half Day City Tour: $32
  • Private Customized Tour with Driver in Koh Samui: $33
  • Admission Ticket to High Park Samui: $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samui $4.63
    Jingdezhen $38


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Jingdezhen, we can see that Jingdezhen 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 Jingdezhen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Jingdezhen?

Jingdezhen has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Jingdezhen, 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 Jingdezhen?

Jingdezhen 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 Jingdezhen in the Summer?

Both Jingdezhen and Koh Samui during the summer 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 July, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Jingdezhen. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Jingdezhen fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).

Jingdezhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in July than Jingdezhen. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Jingdezhen receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F) 
    Jingdezhen 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Koh Samui or Jingdezhen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Jingdezhen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.

Koh Samui is a little warmer than Jingdezhen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Jingdezhen fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Jingdezhen. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Jingdezhen receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samui 24°C (75°F) 
    Jingdezhen 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Koh Samui or Jingdezhen in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Koh Samui is much warmer than Jingdezhen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Jingdezhen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Koh Samui usually gets less rain in January than Jingdezhen. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Jingdezhen receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samui 22°C (72°F) 
    Jingdezhen 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Koh Samui or Jingdezhen in the Spring?

Both Jingdezhen and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year.

In April, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Jingdezhen. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Jingdezhen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jingdezhen. In April, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Jingdezhen. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Jingdezhen receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F) 
    Jingdezhen 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Jingdezhen and Koh Samui

Koh Samui Jingdezhen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in) 6°C (43°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 123 mm (4.9 in)
Mar 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Apr 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 257 mm (10.1 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 270 mm (10.6 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 30°C (85°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Aug 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 30°C (85°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Nov 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)