Which place is cheaper, Koh Samui or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa or Koh Samui?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and Koh Samui. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mombasa or Koh Samui?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesKoh Samui Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Koh Samui $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Koh Samui is $79. 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 Mombasa and Koh Samui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Koh Samui $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Koh Samui $52
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Koh Samui
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Koh Samui? 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Koh Samui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Koh Samui $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $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
- Smooth Koh Phangan to Phuket Transfer by Catamaran and Bus : $54
- Samui Zipline Adventure with Transfer service: $54
- Private round trip Transfers from Samui Airport : $38
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Taling Ngam: $69
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Mae Nam: $69
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $18
- 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 Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Cruise Port to Ko Samui Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Koh Samui?
Prices for flights to both Koh Samui and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Koh Samui $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Koh Samui $12
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
- Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
- Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Koh Samui $5.33
When comparing the travel costs between Mombasa and Koh Samui, we can see that Mombasa 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. Even though Mombasa is in Africa and Koh Samui is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Koh Samui Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Koh Samui?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Koh Samui, 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 Mombasa or Koh Samui?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Mombasa or Koh Samui in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Koh Samui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Koh Samui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Koh Samui in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Koh Samui. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year.
Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. October to December in Koh Samui is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Koh Samui. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Koh Samui 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Koh Samui in the Winter?
Both Koh Samui and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February. In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Mombasa is a little warmer than Koh Samui in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Koh Samui fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Koh Samui 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Koh Samui in the Spring?
Both Koh Samui and Mombasa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Koh Samui. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Mombasa is a little warmer than Koh Samui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Samui and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Koh Samui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.