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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Koyasan?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Koyasan? 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 beautiful, tropical, and rainforest-covered resort island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a serene, spiritual, and traditional town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Koh Samui and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Koyasan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Koh Samui. Although Koh Samui and Koyasan are both popular with visitors, Koh Samui has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Koh Samui is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Koyasan is known for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Koh Samui is more touristy than Koyasan and is popular for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. It is also home to The Big Buddha Temple. Koyasan is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.

How is Koh Samui different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koyasan 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 Koyasan?

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

Koyasan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Koh Samui is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Koh Samui. 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.

Koyasan is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Koh Samui or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

People head to Koh Samui just to party. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Koh Samui or Koyasan Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Koyasan is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Koh Samui for its luxury resorts. 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.

Koyasan is not a resort destination.

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

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

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near 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.

Koyasan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Koyasan Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Koh Samui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Koyasan is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Samui or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

Koyasan is a great town for its historic old town charm. However, Koh Samui does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Koyasan. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Koh Samui does not have a historic old town.

Is Koh Samui or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Samui. 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.

Koyasan is a good destination for hiking. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Koyasan?

Koh Samui is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Koh Samui offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Koh Samui or Koyasan Better for Families?

Koh Samui is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Koh Samui is a very kid-friendly resort island. 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.

Koyasan offers lots of family activities. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Koh Samui or Koyasan Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Koh Samui and Koyasan make for a superb 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.

Koyasan is a very popular place to visit for couples. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

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

Koh Samui is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Samui is a great resort island to visit for backpackers. 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 budget travelers visit Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

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

Koh Samui and Koyasan 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.

Koyasan has a few public transit options. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

Is Koh Samui or Koyasan a more walkable city?

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

Koyasan is a very walkable destination. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore 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 Koyasan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Koyasan?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Samui or Koyasan to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Samui than Koyasan because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 1-2 days is enough time in Koyasan.

Families should spend more time in Koh Samui than Koyasan. 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 Koyasan. 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 Koyasan 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 Koyasan?

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.

Even though Koyasan is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koyasan has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Samui or Koyasan?

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.

Koyasan is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Koyasan?

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.

Koyasan is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Samui or Koyasan?

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.

Koyasan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Koyasan, we can see that Koyasan is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Koyasan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koyasan 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 Koyasan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Samui or Koyasan?

Koyasan 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 Koyasan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Koyasan. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in July than Koyasan. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Koyasan in the Autumn?

Both Koyasan and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

Koh Samui is a little warmer than Koyasan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February. The rainy season in Koh Samui is October to December.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Koyasan in the Winter?

Both Koyasan and Koh Samui during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Koh Samui is much warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Koyasan averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Koh Samui usually gets more rain in January than Koyasan. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Koyasan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Koh Samui