A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tiberias vs. Koh Samui for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tiberias or Koh Samui?

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

Should I visit Tiberias or Koh Samui? 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: Tiberias or Koh Samui?

Tiberias

Tiberias is a major tourist destination in Israel. It's positioned on the western side of the Sea of Galilee and is a popular spot for Israeli and international tourists alike. The town itself offers great views of the beautiful blue waters and the surrounding green hills. Tiberias is also considered to be one of the Jewish Four Holy Cities. Many people also use Tiberias as a jumping off point to explore the Golan Heights area.

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 Religious Tours in Israel, The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Samui or Tiberias?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tiberias is $137, while the average daily cost in Koh Samui is $76. 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 Tiberias and Koh Samui in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tiberias $70
    Koh Samui $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tiberias $140
    Koh Samui $50
Compare Hotels in Tiberias and Koh Samui

Looking for a hotel in Tiberias 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.

Hotels in Tiberias


Hotels in Koh Samui


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: Tiberias Hotel Prices and Koh Samui Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tiberias $5.79
    Koh Samui $19

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:


  • Scooter Rental
    $2.28
  • Gas for Scooter
    $1.22
  • Airport Taxi
    $13
  • Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach
    $13
  • Minibus- Airport to Chaweng
    $3.65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui

Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • ATV And Zipline Experience on Koh Samui with Transfer: $112
  • Angthong Catamaran Tour from Koh Samui with Lunch and Transfers: $77
  • Ferry Transfers between Ko Pha-ngan and Koh Tao: $21
  • Ferry Transfers between Koh Samui and Koh Tao: $26
  • Full Moon Party in Speedboat Transfer From Samui: $60
  • Full Moon Party in Speedboat Transfer From Samui: $49
  • Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Round Trip Private Transfer: $35
  • Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $17
  • Koh Pha Ngan to Phuket Scenic Catamaran and Bus Transfer: $61
  • Koh Phangan to Krabi Hassle Free Catamaran and Bus Transfer: $52
  • Koh Phangan to Krabi Transfer by Catamaran and Bus: $56
  • Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $12

Is it cheaper to fly into Tiberias or Koh Samui?

Prices for flights to both Koh Samui and Tiberias 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tiberias $61
    Koh Samui $37
Typical Food Prices in Tiberias

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tiberias:


  • Lunch for Two
    $6.76
  • Pastry
    $2.37

Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $6.54

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
  • Samui Suppers Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $78
  • Thai Cooking Class | Farm to Table: $78
  • Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Market Tour: $78
  • Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $79
  • Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $80
  • Thai Cooking Class from Koh Samui with Local Market: $86
  • Romantic Evening on Koh Samui’s Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui The Red Baron: $109
  • Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $112
  • Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tiberias $13
    Koh Samui $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tiberias

Here are a few typical costs in Tiberias for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Two Bikes for Day
    $41

Tours and Activities in Tiberias

Here are a few actual costs in Tiberias for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Culinary Day Tour of the Galilee: $287
  • Haifa Shore Excursion: Nazareth and the Galilee - for cruise ship guests only: $115
  • Safed Wine & Cheese Tour: $250
  • Shabbat Experience in Tzfat with Wine Pairing: $160

Tours and Activities in Koh Samui

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.

  • Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.02
  • Sky Bicycle Jungle Adventure Tour from Koh Samui: $14
  • Paris Follies Cabaret Evening Entertainment Ticket from Koh Samui: $20
  • Create Your Own Crystal Aroma Oil Ritual Experience: $20
  • Samui: Double Seater Karting: Share the Driving Experience: $22
  • Koh Samui Half Day Island Guided Tour: $23
  • Koh Samui Chaweng Beach Nightlife Walking Tour: $24
  • Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
  • Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island: $25
  • Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $28
  • Angthong National Marine Park by Highsea Tour (Official): $30
  • City Tour Around Koh Samui: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tiberias $21
    Koh Samui $5.16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tiberias and Koh Samui, we can see that Tiberias is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tiberias is in Middle East and Koh Samui is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Tiberias would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tiberias 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 Tiberias Expensive? and Is Koh Samui Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tiberias or Koh Samui?

Tiberias has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Tiberias 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 Tiberias or Koh Samui?

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 Tiberias or Koh Samui in the Summer?

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

Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tiberias usually gets less rain in July than Koh Samui. Tiberias gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Tiberias is generally a little warmer than Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Tiberias average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tiberias 28°C (82°F) 
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Tiberias or Koh Samui in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tiberias and Koh Samui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tiberias year-round. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Tiberias usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Tiberias gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Tiberias is around the same temperature as Koh Samui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tiberias averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tiberias 24°C (75°F) 
    Koh Samui 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Tiberias or Koh Samui in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tiberias as well as Koh Samui. Tiberias 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. Tiberias usually gets less rain in January than Koh Samui. Tiberias gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Tiberias is much colder than Koh Samui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tiberias in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Koh Samui averages at about 22°C (72°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tiberias 14°C (57°F) 
    Koh Samui 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Tiberias or Koh Samui in the Spring?

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

In April, Tiberias usually receives less rain than Koh Samui. Tiberias gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Koh Samui receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In April, Tiberias is generally cooler than Koh Samui. Daily temperatures in Tiberias average around 20°C (68°F), and Koh Samui fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tiberias 20°C (68°F) 
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Samui and Tiberias

Tiberias Koh Samui
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 26 mm (1 in) 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 24°C (75°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)