A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Sukhothai vs. Koh Samet for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sukhothai or Koh Samet?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Koh Samet can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Koh Samet?

Sukhothai

If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.

Koh Samet

The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Koh Samet, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Sukhothai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sukhothai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sukhothai 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 Koh Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet than you might in Sukhothai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Koh Samet Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Sukhothai or Koh Samet?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Koh Samet in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Koh Samet. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in July than Koh Samet. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Koh Samet. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Samet receives 195 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Koh Samet. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sukhothai in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Samet averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Koh Samet in the Autumn?

Both Koh Samet and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Koh Samet. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Koh Samet during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Samet receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Koh Samet. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 28°C (83°F), and Koh Samet fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Koh Samet in the Winter?

Both Koh Samet and Sukhothai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Koh Samet. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Samet. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Samet receives 255 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Koh Samet in the winter. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Koh Samet fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Koh Samet in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Koh Samet. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Koh Samet. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Koh Samet during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Samet receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Koh Samet. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sukhothai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Koh Samet averages at about 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Koh Samet and Sukhothai