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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Sendai?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Sendai? 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 lush, laid back, and beautiful resort island. Koh Samui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Koh Samui travel costs.

Sendai

Sendai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Sendai travel costs.

Koh Samui and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Sendai?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sendai. Although Koh Samui and Sendai are both popular with visitors, Sendai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sendai is more popular for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Samui is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Koh Samui is more touristy than Sendai and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also home to the statue of Lord Masamune.

How is Koh Samui different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sendai offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Koh Samui has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Koh Samui or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Koh Samui is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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 people in Sendai know how to have a good time. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

Is Koh Samui or Sendai Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Sendai is not a resort destination.

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.

Sendai is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Samui to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is renowned for the beach. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

The beaches in Koh Samui are among the best in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sendai. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Is Koh Samui or Sendai Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Sendai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

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 Sendai More Beautiful?

Koh Samui is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Koh Samui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's laid back vibe and quintessential beach setting make this a wonderful holiday destination. It's the second largest island in Thailand and there are resorts, hotels, and restaurants for everyone.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Samui or Sendai Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Koh Samui or Sendai.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Koh Samui. 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.

Sendai is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Is Koh Samui or Sendai Better for Couples?

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Koh Samui makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Sendai is a good resort island for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

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

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Sendai is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

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

Sendai is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for its public transit.

The public transit in Sendai can get you to most places easily. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Koh Samui has a few public transit options. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Is Koh Samui or Sendai a more walkable city?

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

Sendai is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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 Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Sendai?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Samui and Sendai. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Samui than in Sendai. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sendai.

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Koh Samui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sendai. 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 Sendai?

Koh Samui is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively destination of Sendai. 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 Sendai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Samui. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively city of Sendai. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Samui or Sendai?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the tropical destination of Koh Samui. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Sendai is a popular choice for travelers. 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koh Samui is generally around the same temperature as Sendai. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samui usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Sendai. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. October to December in Koh Samui is the rainy season.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. In the winter, Koh Samui is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).

In January, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Sendai. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Koh Samui during the spring 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 and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

In April, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Koh Samui