Which city is cheaper, Pattaya or Koh Samui?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Koh Samui vs. Pattaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Koh Samui or Pattaya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Pattaya? 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 Pattaya?
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.
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $49Pattaya $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $49, while the average daily cost in Pattaya is $59. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Koh Samui and Pattaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $21Pattaya $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $42Pattaya $42
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Pattaya
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Pattaya? 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 Pattaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $15Pattaya $10
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$2.29
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Gas for Scooter$1.22
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Airport Taxi$13
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- The Red Baron Luxury Yacht Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $181
- Guided Zipline Adventure in Ko Samui with Round Trip Transfer: $87
- Koh Samui Paradise Park Farm Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $58
- Private Transfer from Choeng Mon Beach to Samui (USM) Airport: $41
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): One-Way Private Hotel Transfer: $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bangkok: To/From Pattaya 1-Way Private Luxury Transfers: $241
- Private Van Transfer from Pattaya City Center - Hua Hin City Center: $160
- Private Car Transfer Pattaya City - Hua Hin City Beach: $137
- Private Taxi Transfer Pattaya City Beach Thailand to Siem Reap City Cambodia: $123
- Private Transfer: BKK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% All-Electric Car: $100
- BKK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% All-Electric Private Transfer: $100
- DMK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% All-Electric Private Transfer: $85
- Private Transfer: DMK Airport to Pattaya hotel 100% All-Electric Car: $85
- Private Transfer: Pattaya to Bangkok: $82
- Private Departure Transfer: Pattaya to Bangkok Airport - 3 PAX: $79
- Private Transfer from Pattaya Hotel to DMK Airport: $73
- Private Transfer from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Pattaya?
Prices for flights to both Pattaya 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 $17Pattaya $20
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)$6.56
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:
- Cooking Class with Herbal Garden by Amari Koh Samui: $55
- Koh Samui Jungle Kitchen - Half Day Cooking Class: $77
- Jungle Kitchen Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $89
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $122
- Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer: $131
- 4-Hour Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise: $131
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Drink Drunk Drunk night & Sunset landmark selfie with Dinner: $56
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $9.38Pattaya $18
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Full Day Ko Samui Island Boat Tour: $87
- Full-Day Koh Samui Jungle Mountain Adventure Tour with Lunch: $64
- Full-Day Tour to Koh Phangan by Speedboat from Koh Samui: $93
- Full-Day Tour to Koh Samui Island by Boat with Lunch: $87
- Full-day diving experience for beginners (no license): $212
- Gulf of Thailand Fishing Challenge Tour from Ko Samui: $52
- Ko Samui Angthong Marine Park Full Day Tour : Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking: $82
- Ko Samui Angthong Marine Park Full Day Tour with Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking: $82
- Ko Samui City Tour including Wat Phra Yai, Lat Ko Viewpoint, Hin Ta Hin Yai Rock: $29
- Ko Samui City Tour including Wat Phra Yai, Lat Ko Viewpoint, Hin Ta Hin Yai Rock: $29
- Ko Samui City Tour including Wat Phra Yai, Lat Ko Viewpoint, Hin Ta Hin Yai Rock: $29
- Koh Nangyuan Snorkeling and Koh Tao Tour by Catamaran Cruise from Koh Samui: $92
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- 3-Hour Mini Siam Tour in Pattaya: $55
- Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $41
- Alcazar Cabaret Admission Ticket with Optional Hotel Pickup in Pattaya: $16
- Alcazar Cabaret Admission Ticket with Optional Hotel Pickup in Pattaya: $21
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Admission Tickets: $19
- Alcazar Cabaret Show at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $17
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $9.09
- Art in Paradise at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $15
- Art in Paradise in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $15
- Bangkok Temples Private Tour from Pattaya – Full Day: $150
- Coral Island (Koh Larn) & Sanctuary of Truth Private Tour from Pattaya –Full Day: $85
- Coral Island (Koh Larn) Tours with Lunch: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $4.14Pattaya $7.32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Pattaya, we can see that Pattaya 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 Pattaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pattaya than you might in Koh Samui.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samui or Pattaya?
Both destinations experience a tropical climate with warm weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Koh Samui or Pattaya in the Summer?
Both Pattaya and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.
It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In July, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Pattaya. Temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Pattaya stays around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Pattaya 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Pattaya in the Autumn?
Both Pattaya and Koh Samui during the autumn are popular places to visit. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year.
December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui. October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Pattaya 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 October as Pattaya. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samui is cooler than Pattaya in the autumn. The temperature in Koh Samui is usually 24°C (75°F) in October, and Pattaya stays around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Pattaya 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Pattaya in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Pattaya. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. In January, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Pattaya. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Koh Samui is cooler than Pattaya. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January are around 22°C (72°F), and Pattaya is about 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Pattaya 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Pattaya in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Pattaya. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.
Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Pattaya. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pattaya receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Pattaya. Temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Pattaya stays around 30°C (86°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Pattaya 30°C (86°F)
Typical Weather for Pattaya and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Pattaya | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 202 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
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