Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yangshuo? 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 Yangshuo?
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.
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesYangshuo Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $79Yangshuo $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $79, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $86. 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 Yangshuo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Yangshuo $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Yangshuo $52
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Yangshuo
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Yangshuo? 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 $19Yangshuo $43
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$2.36
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Gas for Scooter$1.26
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Airport Taxi$14
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.77
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: $168
- Koh Samui Paradise Park Farm Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $139
- Paradise Park Farm Entry Ticket with Transfer: $118
- Guided Zipline Adventure in Ko Samui with Round Trip Transfer: $81
- Full Moon Party Entry Tickets & Round Trip Transfers: $80
- Private Departure Transfer: From Hotel to Airport Koh Samui by Minivan: $76
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Taling Ngam: $69
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Mae Nam: $69
- Samui Zipline Adventure with Transfer service: $54
- Smooth Koh Phangan to Phuket Transfer by Catamaran and Bus : $54
- Full Moon Party in Speedboat Transfer From Samui: $50
- Koh Pha Ngan to Phuket Scenic Catamaran and Bus Transfer : $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Between Airport & Yangshuo: $106
- Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
- From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
- From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Yangshuo?
Prices for flights to both Yangshuo 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 $39Yangshuo $33
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)$6.75
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:
- Romantic 4-Course Dinner for Two on the Beach by the Amari Samui: $67
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $78
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $79
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $79
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $81
- Sunset Dinner Cruise by Red Baron In Koh Samui : $81
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $82
- Thai Cooking Class | Since 2012 | Farm to Table: $82
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $82
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $82
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $113
- Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $122
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Cooking Class with Market Trip: $45
- Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Yangshuo $24
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Koh Madsum (Pig island) and Koh Tan Day Tour from Koh Samui: $101
- Koh Samui Island ATV Quad Bike Adventure: $98
- Koh Tan and Pig Island Half-Day Tour by Speed Catamaran : $64
- Pig Island Experience By Speed Boat, Snorkeling, Kayaking Relaxing on the Beach: $46
- Private Tour in Koh Samui Waterfall And Mummified Monk Temple: $198
- Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $83
- koh samui island and water fall tour: $49
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Tour In Koh Samui : $89
- 2-Hour Koh Samui ATV Quad Tour: $58
- 2.5-Hours ATV Jungle Adventure Experience from Koh Phangan: $123
- 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $30
- 4WD Buggy. Mountain Tour 3 hrs. for 1-2 people per Buggy in Samui: $275
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $170
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
- 1-Day Private Yangshuo Bicycle Tour along Ten-Mile Gallery: $119
- 1-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour from Beijing/Chengdu/Shanghai: $497
- All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
- Day Tour in Yangshuo and Li River: $155
- Enchanting Li River & Beyond: Cruise, Peaks & Panorama: $293
- Entry Ticket to Liu San Jie Impression Show: $71
- From Guilin: 6-Day Yangtze River Cruise with Excursions: $1,299
- From Guilin: Yangshuo Rock-climbing & River-tracing Tour: $282
- From Xingping River-tracing Half Day Private Tour: $102
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.33Yangshuo $34
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Yangshuo, we can see that Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Yangshuo, 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 Yangshuo?
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo in the Summer?
Both Yangshuo and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year.
In July, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In July, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yangshuo in the Autumn?
Both Yangshuo and Koh Samui during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Yangshuo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Yangshuo. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui. October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yangshuo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
In the winter, Koh Samui is much warmer than Yangshuo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 10°C (49°F).
In January, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yangshuo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Yangshuo. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Yangshuo. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Yangshuo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
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.