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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Newcastle?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Newcastle? 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 tropical, rainforest-covered, and lush resort island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Newcastle

Newcastle is a high energy, trendy, and coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Koh Samui and Newcastle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Newcastle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Newcastle. Although Koh Samui and Newcastle are popular destinations, Newcastle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Newcastle is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Samui attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Koh Samui is more touristy than Newcastle and is popular for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Newcastle is famous for its bustling harbor, sandy beaches, and coastal walks. It is also well known for the Bathers Way.

How is Koh Samui different from Newcastle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Newcastle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are some interesting sights around town such as Nobbys Lighthouse. There's also the popular Ocean Baths. These pools offer a nice break from the surf. You can also check out the sights along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. For a history lesson, head to Fort Scratchley.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Newcastle can be difficult as they are each high quality 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, Newcastle makes for a great culinary experience. It's a moderately sized city, so you'll find a good mix of restaurants. Head to the beachfront if you want fine dining and good seafood. There are also some good breweries and cafes, as well as brunch places and international flavors around town.

Is Koh Samui or Newcastle Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Koh Samui is a must-see party destination. 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.

Newcastle has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vibrant city, and the best nightlife can be found in the Honeysuckle Precinct. This is where you'll find the largest number of bars and pubs. Hunter Street is also a cool hangout area where you'll find the hidden gems where the locals hang out. Civic Theatre is the place to see a show.

Is Koh Samui or Newcastle Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is terrific for its resorts. However, Newcastle is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Koh Samui is a great choice. 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.

Newcastle is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Samui is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

Newcastle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Newcastle Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is terrific for the beach. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

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.

Newcastle is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are a number of beaches in and near the city. Nobbys Beach is the most popular and you'll find families, surfers, and locals hanging out here. Newcastle Beach is also popular with its many restaurants and cafes.

Is Koh Samui or Newcastle Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

Koh Samui is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Newcastle. There are many places to enjoy a stroll or hike near town. The most famous walk is the Bathers Way Walk, which runs along the coastline and offers spectacular views. It's particularly nice during the winter whale watching season.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Newcastle?

Newcastle 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 Newcastle. It's gained popularity for its trendy fashions and chic style. You'll find great shopping around town that highlight both local and international brands.

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 Newcastle Better for Families?

Koh Samui is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Koh Samui is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Newcastle is a family-friendly resort island. Kids will enjoy the long sandy beaches, but there's also a working harbor that you can explore. You can also visit the Newcastle Museum or try one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Koh Samui or Newcastle Better for Couples?

Koh Samui is a well-known place for couples. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Koh Samui is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Newcastle is a nice destination for couples. The city has some great restaurants as well as many coastal walks and a vibrant nightlife scene that couples enjoy.

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

Koh Samui is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Newcastle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Samui is a very popular resort island for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Newcastle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not Australia's most popular backpacker destination, there are some hostels and a good nightlife scene that are worth checking out.

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

Koh Samui and Newcastle both offer nice 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.

Newcastle has a few public transit options. There's both a light rail system and a bus system.

Is Koh Samui or Newcastle a more walkable city?

Newcastle is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Newcastle is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that can be explored 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 Newcastle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Newcastle or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Newcastle?

It's fun to spend time in either Koh Samui or Newcastle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Koh Samui due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 2-4 days is enough time in Newcastle.

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

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort island of Koh Samui. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Newcastle. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Newcastle?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the tropical destination of Koh Samui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Newcastle. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Newcastle?

You'll find nightlife and food around the tropical resort island of Koh Samui. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort island has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Newcastle. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Samui or Newcastle?

Koh Samui 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 Samui, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Newcastle is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Newcastle?

Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?

Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?

Both Newcastle 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. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Newcastle in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in January.

Newcastle 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 more rain in July than Newcastlein January. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Newcastle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Also, many travelers come to Newcastle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Koh Samui is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Newcastle averages at about 19°C (67°F)in April.

Newcastle 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 Newcastlein April. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 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.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Newcastle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Newcastle. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Newcastle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Newcastlein July. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Koh Samui usually gets less rain in January than Newcastlein July. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Newcastle in the Spring?

Both Newcastle 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. Also, most visitors come to Newcastle for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Koh Samui is a little warmer than Newcastle in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

In April, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Newcastlein October. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Newcastle and Koh Samui