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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Yokohama?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Yokohama? 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. The famous beauty of Koh Samui is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Koh Samui travel costs.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a bright, colorful, and under-rated city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Yokohama travel costs.

Koh Samui and Yokohama: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Yokohama?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Yokohama than Koh Samui, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Yokohama is better known for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Samui is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Koh Samui is more touristy than Yokohama and is popular for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Yokohama is well known for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. Also, Yokohama is famous for the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Koh Samui different from Yokohama?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Yokohama offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Yokohama 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, Yokohama makes for a great culinary experience. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

Is Koh Samui or Yokohama Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is terrific for nightlife. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Koh Samui is a must-see party destination. 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.

Many people head to Yokohama for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

Is Koh Samui or Yokohama Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is terrific for its resorts. However, Yokohama 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.

Yokohama is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Samui is well known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Yokohama 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.

Yokohama is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Yokohama Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is terrific for its beaches. However, Yokohama is not a beach destination.

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.

Yokohama is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Samui or Yokohama Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Yokohama is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Yokohama is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Yokohama?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

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 Yokohama More Beautiful?

Koh Samui is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Yokohama is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Koh Samui is one of the main draws. 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.

Yokohama is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Samui or Yokohama Better for Families?

Yokohama 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, Yokohama is a very family-friendly destination. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

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 Yokohama Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Koh Samui and Yokohama 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.

Yokohama is a very popular place to visit for couples. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

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

Koh Samui is well known for backpackers. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Yokohama is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Is Koh Samui or Yokohama Better for Students?

Yokohama is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Samui is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Yokohama. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Koh Samui is not popular with students.

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

Yokohama 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 Yokohama can get you to most places easily. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

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 Yokohama a more walkable city?

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

Yokohama is a very walkable destination. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

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 Yokohama Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Yokohama or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Yokohama?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Samui or Yokohama to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Samui than Yokohama because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 1-2 days is enough time in Yokohama.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Samui than Yokohama. 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 Yokohama 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 Yokohama?

The beautiful resort island of Koh Samui offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

People visit Yokohama because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Yokohama has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Samui or Yokohama?

Koh Samui is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

People visit Yokohama because there is so much to do. 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 Yokohama?

Koh Samui is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Samui, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful city of Yokohama. 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 Yokohama?

Koh Samui is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Samui has to offer. This resort island offers something for everyone.

Yokohama 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Yokohama?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Yokohama, 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 Yokohama?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Yokohama. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Yokohama in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Yokohama. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samui in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Yokohama averages at about 25°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Yokohama. Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samui usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Yokohama. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Yokohama in the Autumn?

Both Yokohama and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Yokohama. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (75°F), and Yokohama fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yokohama. It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Yokohama. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February. The rainy season in Koh Samui is October to December.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Yokohama in the Winter?

Both Yokohama and Koh Samui during the winter 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 winter months attract visitors to Yokohama because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Yokohama in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Yokohama fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Koh Samui usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Yokohama. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Yokohama in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Yokohama. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year.

In the spring, Koh Samui is much warmer than Yokohama. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samui in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Yokohama averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Yokohama receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Yokohama. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Yokohama and Koh Samui