Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Koh Samui?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Koh Samui or Koh Tao? 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 is a lush, laid back, and beautiful resort island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Koh Tao is a beautiful, tropical, and popular island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.
Both Koh Tao and Koh Samui have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Koh Samui is more popular for its nightlife and resorts, while Koh Tao is known for its museums and scuba diving & snorkeling. Koh Samui is more touristy than Koh Tao and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Koh Tao is popular for its affordable scuba diving courses, laid-back island vibe, popularity with backpackers, and stunning island hikes.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Tao and Koh Samui. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Koh Tao is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.
If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Tao. It's a small island that is all about beachfront beauty. Most visitors enjoy the island's outdoor paradise setting, but on those rainy afternoons, there really are very few indoor activities or temples to visit.
Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Koh Tao can be difficult as they are each very good 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, Koh Tao makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a huge ex-pat community on the island, and with them they bring a variety of international cuisines. There are also local establishments that sell the typical Thai dishes with lots of seafood, curries, and noodle dishes. It's fun to enjoy a beachside restaurant that lets you sit right by the water looking off into a tropical paradise.
Koh Samui is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its evening party scene.
The nightlife in Koh Samui is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.
Koh Tao has plenty to do after the sun goes down. While most people head for the island for its scuba diving, when the sun goes down everyone heads to the beach to party. The island has a very active nightlife scene with its own Full Moon Parties, dance clubs, beachside bars, and more. Head to Sairee Beach for the most active nightlife and entertainment options.
Koh Samui is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its resorts.
Koh Samui offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.
In Koh Tao, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. While it's mostly famous as a diving destination, there are also a diversity of resorts, from luxury to affordable, available on the island. The beaches are beautiful and many resorts offer scuba diving packages as well.
Koh Tao is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.
The clear water and abundant marine life make Koh Tao a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The island is Thailand's most famous scuba diving destination for it's affordable certifications and prolific dive shops. There are a variety of dive sites near the island, but with fame and popularity come challenges. The coral and sealife is feeling the pressure of the high number of tourists, and the reefs show their damage. But the training you receive here is affordable and well-established.
There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Koh Samui. 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.
For a relaxing beach holiday, both Koh Samui and Koh Tao are fantastic choices.
Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Samui. 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.
With world-famous beaches, Koh Tao is a very popular vacation destination. The white sand beaches have a mellow vibe with beautiful blue waters. This is a true tropical paradise with beachside cafes, easy snorkeling, and warm water. The beaches range from quiet and isolated to high energy and vibrant.
If you're looking to go hiking, Koh Samui and Koh Tao both have very good 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.
Koh Tao is a popular spot for hiking. Hiking is the best way to enjoy the inland beauty of the island. There are paths that take you through the jungle covered land to viewpoints and remote areas. Many paths are rustic and not always well maintained so it's helpful to ask a local for directions beforehand.
If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Samui and Koh Tao both offer plenty of good spots.
Koh Samui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.
Koh Tao is a great destination for shopping. The main beach areas of Mae Haad, Sairee, and Chalok Baan Kao have the highest concentration of clothing and dive equipment shops. Because it's an island with limited access, prices can be a bit high.
Koh Samui is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Tao is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Koh Samui is very family-friendly. 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.
Koh Tao is a family-friendly place to visit. The island is popular for its affordable scuba diving certifications, so there are a number of options for families with older kids who'd like to get certified. It's also a more laid back and smaller island than some nearby places, so it's possible to find quiet beaches where your family can relax. Some of the quieter beaches include Sai Nuan and Ao Luek. You'll still find a large number of backpackers on the island, but there's a more chill atmosphere with most visitors focused on scuba diving and exploring.
With fun activities for couples, both Koh Samui and Koh Tao make for a very good 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.
Koh Tao is a very popular place to visit for couples. This laid back island offers a relaxing honeymoon destination for couples who want to learn to scuba dive and enjoy a bit of tropical paradise. There are beachside restaurants, beautiful blue waters, white sand, and everything you need for your own piece of paradise.
Koh Tao is an amazing island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Koh Tao, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. The island is an oasis for backpackers who want to enjoy the mellow island life, learn to scuba dive cheaply, and have fun at a beachside party. There are plenty of affordable places to stay and countless opportunities to meet other backpackers. The island is also well connected to other nearby islands.
Backpackers come from all over to 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.
Koh Samui is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Koh Tao is not a good destination for its public transit.
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.
Public transit is generally limited in Koh Tao. You can rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore the island. There are also taxis and taxi boats available.
Koh Tao is a great island for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.
Koh Tao is a very walkable destination. The island is smaller than many islands in Thailand, and the small towns are usually no more than 5 kilometers apart. It's also possible to walk around most of the small towns.
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 Koh Tao Worth Visiting?.
Both Koh Samui and Koh Tao have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 2-7 days is enough time in Koh Tao.
Families should spend more time in Koh Samui than Koh Tao. 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.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Tao than Koh Samui 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 Tao.
In Koh Samui, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Koh Tao. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.
In Koh Samui, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
You'll find shopping and nightlife around the laid back destination of Koh Tao. 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 island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Koh Samui is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Samui has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
You'll find nightlife and food around the laid back island of Koh Tao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Samui. In Koh Samui, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
Koh Tao is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Tao, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $56, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Koh Tao in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Koh Tao? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Koh Tao, we can see that Koh Samui is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao.
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 Koh Tao Expensive?.
Koh Samui has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Koh Tao, 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.
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Both Koh Tao 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In July, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Koh Samui is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Both Koh Tao 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui. October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao. Koh Tao 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 October than Koh Tao. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Koh Tao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. In January, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 22°C (72°F).
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Koh Tao. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Koh Tao. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Koh Samui is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Koh Samui | Koh Tao | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |