Which place is cheaper, Yangon 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 Yangon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yangon? 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 Yangon?
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.
Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesYangon Prices
Myanmar Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $76Yangon $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $76, while the average daily cost in Yangon is $70. 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 Yangon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $25Yangon $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $50Yangon $62
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Yangon
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Yangon? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Yangon $2.38
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$2.28
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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$3.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- Koh Samui Private Airport Transfer: $15
- Private Koh Samui Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet: $17
- Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $17
- Koh Samui Shared Airport Transfer – Arrival or Departure: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui island hotels to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Island Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Cruise Port to Ko Samui Hotels: $19
- Ferry Transfers between Ko Pha-ngan and Koh Tao: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $80
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $60
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer: $45
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangon Airport (RGN) → Yangon Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer from or to Rangon International Airport (YIA): $31
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
- Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Yangon?
Prices for flights to both Yangon 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 $37Yangon $17
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)$6.54
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:
- Koh Samui Local Market Hin Ta Hin Yai and Beach Dinner: $36
- Thai Cooking Class from Koh Samui with Local Market: $76
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $77
- Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Micro Organic Garden: $77
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Market Tour: $77
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $79
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group: $80
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $87
- Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui The Red Baron: $108
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $111
- Romantic Beachside Dinner at Melati Resort: $127
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Cooking Myanmar Food and Explore Dala: $46
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Yangon -
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 Class@13:30 pm.: $2.31
- Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $6.96
- Sky Bicycle Jungle Adventure Tour from Koh Samui: $17
- Paris Follies Cabaret Evening Entertainment Ticket from Koh Samui: $18
- Create Your Own Crystal Aroma Oil Ritual Experience: $20
- Koh Samui Half Day Island Guided Tour: $23
- Koh Samui Chaweng Beach Nightlife Walking Tour: $24
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island: $25
- City Tour Around Koh Samui: $27
- Scenic Half Day Island Highlights Tour in Koh Samui: $29
- Angthong National Marine Park by Highsea Tour (Official): $30
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- 3-day Yangon Sightseeing & Shopping: $296
- 8hrs - Dalla & Twantay Small Town One Day Tour: $142
- : Memorable Moment in The Heart of Yangon (08:00 AM - 06:00 PM)Full Day Tour: $110
- Adventure Day Trip to Bago: $140
- Adventure Half-day visit in Yangon including Shwedagon Pagoda: $78
- Bagan Cultrue Tour: $50
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
- Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $110
- Bago Full-Day Tour from Yangon: $117
- Bago by Train: Full-day sightseeing tour: $117
- Best Yangon City Tour with Experience English Speaking Guide: $142
- Burmese Antiques Heritage Shopping Tour: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.16Yangon -
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Yangon, we can see that Koh Samui is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Yangon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Yangon?
Yangon has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Yangon, 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.
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.