Which place is cheaper, Koh Samui or Nairobi?
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 Nairobi or Koh Samui?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Koh Samui can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nairobi or Koh Samui?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesKoh Samui Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Koh Samui $75
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Koh Samui is $75. 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 Nairobi and Koh Samui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Koh Samui $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Koh Samui $50
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Koh Samui
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Koh Samui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Koh Samui $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Nairobi City Taste Experience with Minivan Transfer: $245
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Airport transfers: $180
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Arrival Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Nairobi Airports Private Transfers: $100
- Private Jomo Kenyatta International Airport JKIA Transfers to Nairobi Hotels: $95
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$2.24
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Gas for Scooter$1.19
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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$3.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ziplining Koh Samui at Hawk Adventure with Transfer: $52
- Thrilling 2 Hour ATV Jungle with Hotel Transfer from Koh Samui: $86
- The Red Baron Luxury Yacht Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $163
- The Jungle Club or The Roof Samui Table Reservation with Transfer: $92
- Smooth Koh Samui to Krabi Catamaran and Bus or Van Transfer: $51
- Smooth Koh Phangan to Phuket Transfer by Catamaran and Bus: $64
- Samui Zipline Adventure with Transfer service: $52
- Private round trip Transfers from Samui Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Taling Ngam: $68
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Samui City: $49
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Mae Nam: $68
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Lamai: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Koh Samui?
Prices for flights to both Koh Samui and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $13Koh Samui $37
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Authentic home dinner with a local Family in Nairobi: $108
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)$6.41
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
- Half Day Pig Island Snorkeling Trip with Sunset Dinner from Samui: $58
- Coconut Corners Samui Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- 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
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $87
- Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui The Red Baron: $107
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $110
- Romantic Evening on Koh Samui’s Sunset Dinner Cruise: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Koh Samui $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Pure Adrenaline Adventure with Kenyan BBQ Lunch Experience: $200
- 1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View: $90
- 1 night small group tour to Hells gate and Mount Longonot: $177
- 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $105
- 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $215
- 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Adventure in Koh Samui Mountain Viewpoints: $86
- 2 Hours ATV Quad Bike Popular Tour From Koh Samui: $97
- 2-Hour Koh Samui ATV Quad Tour: $57
- 2.5-Hours ATV Jungle Adventure Experience from Koh Phangan: $106
- 3 Hour ATV Secret Waterfall Adventure in Koh Samui: $107
- 4 Hour Ultimate ATV Jungle Tour in Koh Samui Lunch Included: $138
- 4WD Jungle Safari Tour in Koh Samui with Lunch: $47
- 6 Hours Elephant Care and Jungle Tour by 4WD in Koh Samui: $61
- ATV 1.5 Hours Jungle Safari Tour On Koh Phangan: $75
- ATV 2 hrs. Jungle Adventure on the Mountain Way in Koh Samui: $62
- ATV Jungle & Mountain Trails 30-Min Off-Road Adventure Koh Samui: $51
- Ang Thong Marine Park Adventure with Kayaking and Lunch: $63
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Koh Samui $5.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
When comparing the travel costs between Nairobi and Koh Samui, 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. Even though Nairobi 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 Nairobi Expensive? and Is Koh Samui Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Koh Samui?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.
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.