A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samui vs. Surfers Paradise for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise? 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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a active, ritzy, and glamourous city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Surfers Paradise. Although Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations, Surfers Paradise has more sights and attractions for tourists. Surfers Paradise is very popular for its museums and shopping, while Koh Samui attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Koh Samui is famous for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Surfers Paradise is famous for its long sandy beaches, glamourous party scene, colorful amusement parks, and active water sports. It is also well known for the SkyPoint Observation Deck.

How is Koh Samui different from Surfers Paradise?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Surfers Paradise offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. For the best views of the coastline head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa. It's in Australia's tallest residential tower. You can also visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Sea World Marine Park, as well as countless other amusement parks or entertainment centers.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise can be difficult as they are each very good 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, Surfers Paradise makes for a great culinary experience. There's a trendy food scene with a number of award winning restaurants in the area. There are high end seafood restaurants, modern international eateries, and niche food bars that all cater to the tourist crowd.

Is Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find fantastic options in both Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise.

Koh Samui has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Surfers Paradise is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. This high energy area is filled with glitzy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. There are parties that last until the early morning hours and you'll find the most active nightlife scene along the famous Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

Is Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise offer a relatively similar set of fantastic luxury resort options.

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.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Surfers Paradise is a perfect choice. The high-rise skyline is filled with luxury resorts and trendy hotels. Fancy pools and rooftop views make this is a glitzy and lively place to stay.

Is Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

There's very good scuba diving or snorkeling available in both Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise.

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.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Surfers Paradise. There's no shortage of scuba diving and snorkeling excursions that leave from the area. You'll see a diversity of marine life and interesting undersea reefs.

Is Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise are fantastic choices.

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.

With world-famous beaches, Surfers Paradise is a very popular vacation destination. It's at the heart of the Gold Coast, and you'll enjoy two kilometers of golden sand and beautiful surf. The beaches are lined with high rise buildings and there's plenty of energy and amenities for visitors. This is a popular tourist destination and there is no shortage of water sports and other activities along the beaches.

Is Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Surfers Paradise is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Surfers Paradise. Outside of town you'll find many coastal hikes and inland trails. You can see waterfalls or breathtaking views of the water.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for shopping.

Many people travel to Surfers Paradise specifically to go shopping. Beachside markets sell local items. There are also large shopping malls that are filled with international fashion brands and boutique shops that sell unique items.

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 Surfers Paradise Better for Families?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Surfers Paradise is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There's everything from sandy beaches to amusement park rides and entertainment centers. Check out Infinity, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There's also countless minigolf places, kayaking, and other water sports.

Koh Samui is 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.

Is Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise make for a very good 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.

Surfers Paradise is a very popular place to visit for couples. Walk along the beach or take in the view from Q1 SkyPoint. There are also many fun-filled adventure activities as well as restaurants and a lively party scene.

Is Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Surfers Paradise is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Surfers Paradise, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers who want fun entertainment, a lively beach scene, and water sports will find their place here. There are also hostels with reasonable rates and plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

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

Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise 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.

Surfers Paradise has a few public transit options. Without a car, you can use the shuttle buses, public buses, and light rail to get around.

Is Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise a more walkable city?

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

Surfers Paradise is a somewhat walkable city. There are walking and bike paths around town.

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 Surfers Paradise Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Surfers Paradise or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise?

Both Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Surfers Paradise has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Surfers Paradise than Koh Samui. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Koh Samui. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Surfers Paradise, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Koh Samui. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Surfers Paradise that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Surfers Paradise than Koh Samui 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 Surfers Paradise.

One day in Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the rainforest-covered destination of Koh Samui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Surfers Paradise. 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.

A weekend in Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the beautiful resort island of Koh Samui. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the glamourous destination of Surfers Paradise. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise?

Koh Samui is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the active city of Surfers Paradise. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise?

Koh Samui is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise?

Koh Samui has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

Surfers Paradise 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 less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Surfers Paradise. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Koh Samui is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 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 Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

Both Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In January, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise 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. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

Koh Samui is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Koh Samui