Which place is cheaper, Nassau 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.
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Should you visit Koh Samui or Nassau?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Nassau? 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 Nassau?
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.
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesNassau Prices
Bahamas Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $79Nassau $226
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $79, while the average daily cost in Nassau is $226. 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 Nassau in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Nassau $108
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Nassau $216
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Nassau
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Nassau? 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 and Nassau Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Nassau $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.36
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Gas for Scooter$1.26
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Airport Taxi$14
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.77
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: $9.00
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $12
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $14
- Ferry Transfers between Koh Samui and Ko Pha-ngan: $15
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Koh Samui Airport Departure – Shared Transfer: $17
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui: $18
- Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui hotels to Ko Samui Cruise Port: $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$7.99
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $300
- Round Trip Airport to/from Hotel Private Transfers: $275
- Nassau, Bahamas Private Airport Transfers: $220
- Private Bahamian Baking Class and Transfers with Chef Gabbi: $210
- Private Roundtrip Minivan Airport Transfer to Palm Cay: $200
- Private Roundtrip Minibus Transfer to Cable Beach: $200
- Private SUV One way Airport Transfer/Grocery & Liquor stop included : $200
- Private Roundtrip Sedan Airport Transfer to Palm Cay: $190
- Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
- Private Roundtrip Minivan Airport Transfer: $180
- Round Trip Private Airport To Hotel Transfer in Nassau: $175
- S U V Private Transfer, Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood ,Sandals , ATLANTIS : $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Nassau?
Prices for flights to both Nassau 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
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Food Meals for one dayKoh Samui $39Nassau $91
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.75
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:
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $77
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $79
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $80
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $81
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $82
- Sunset Dinner Cruise by Red Baron In Koh Samui : $83
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $83
- Thai Cooking Class | Since 2012 | Farm to Table: $83
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $83
- Romantic Evening on Koh Samui’s Sunset Dinner Cruise: $108
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $115
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Transfer: $123
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
- Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: $129
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $129
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $138
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Saturday Bahamian Cooking Class in Downtown Nassau: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Nassau $37
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Coconut Soap Making Demo and Experience Koh Samui: $2.39
- Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.97
- Sky Bicycle Jungle Adventure Tour from Koh Samui : $18
- Samui: Double Seater Karting: Share the Driving Experience: $22
- Top Sights of Samui City Tour: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island : $27
- 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $27
- Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $28
- High Speed Karting Fun Adventure at EasyKart from Koh Samui: $29
- Koh Samui City & Temples Tour with Na Muang Waterfall: $29
- Angthong National Marine Park by Highsea Tour (Official): $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- 3 Hour Smart Eco Segway Adventure in Nassau: $99
- 4-Island Tour Swimming Pigs, turtles, snorkeling , rose island, : $180
- Bahamas Adventure: Pigs, Reef, Turtles, and Beach with Lunch: $299
- Bahamas Funtastic Party Bus Tours: $99
- Discover Nassau by Land and Sea Tour: $109
- Fun Atv tour in Nassau with Lunch: Drivers must be 25 years old: $149
- Group City Tour and Beach Experience from Cruise Port: $40
- Sail & Snorkel Adventure with 1 Hr. Open Bar: $120
- 3 Islands Boat Adventure: Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling And Turtles: $149
- 3 V's Guided Scooter or ATV Tour in Nassau: $250
- 3-Hour ATV Tour of New Providence (Inclusive of water & local deserts): $190
- 3-Hour Buggy Tour of New Providence (Inclusive of water & local deserts): $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.33Nassau $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Nassau, we can see that Nassau 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 Nassau is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau 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 Nassau Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Nassau?
Nassau has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Nassau, 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 Nassau?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Samui or Nassau in the Summer?
Both Nassau 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round.
Nassau 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 around the same amount of rain in July as Nassau. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Koh Samui is cooler than Nassau. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samui in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Nassau averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Nassau 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Nassau in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Nassau. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Nassau receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Nassau. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Koh Samui is generally around the same temperature as Nassau. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (75°F), and Nassau fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Nassau 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Nassau in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Nassau. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year.
Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Koh Samui usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nassau. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Nassau in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Nassau fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Nassau 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Nassau in the Spring?
Both Nassau 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. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Koh Samui usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nassau. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Nassau. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samui in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Nassau averages at about 23°C (74°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Nassau 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Nassau and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Nassau | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.