How much does it cost to travel to Koh Samet?
You should plan to spend around $108 (฿3,504) per day on your vacation in Koh Samet. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $31 (฿1,000) on meals
- $77 (฿2,500) on local transportation
- $72 (฿2,343) on hotels
A one week trip to Koh Samet for two people costs, on average, $1,515 (฿49,056). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Koh Samet has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Koh Samet expensive to visit?
Prices in Koh Samet are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Asia, Koh Samet is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Koh Samet is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Koh Samet Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Koh Samet?
The average Koh Samet trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Koh Samet travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
฿2,343
($72)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
฿2,500
($77)
|
Food 2
|
฿1,000
($31)
|
Entertainment 1
|
฿329
($10)
|
Alcohol 2
|
฿86 -
257
($3 - 8)
|
Accommodation Budget in Koh Samet
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Koh Samet can be very surprising. Some destinations have much higher price tags than others, and even within the same areas you can find a big difference between the budget-friendly and higher-end hotels. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Koh Samet is $36 (฿1,171). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Koh Samet is $72 (฿2,343). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Koh Samet include:
- Le Vimarn Cottages & Spa starting at $106
- SummerDay Beach Resort starting at $85
- Baan Ploy Sea starting at $68
Transportation Budget in Koh Samet
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Koh Samet is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $77 (฿2,500) per person, per day, on local transportation in Koh Samet.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$77
฿2,500
How much does it cost to go to Koh Samet? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Koh Samet will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Koh Samet
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Koh Samet can vary, the average cost of food in Koh Samet is $31 (฿1,000) per day, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$31
฿1,000
Entertainment Budget in Koh Samet
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Koh Samet typically cost an average of $10 (฿329) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$10
฿329
Alcohol Budget in Koh Samet
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $5.30 (฿171) on alcoholic beverages in Koh Samet per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$5.30
฿171
Koh Samet on a Budget
Koh Samet, Thailand
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?
In order to secure a place to lay your head, try to get to the island early, and keep in mind that the high tourist season is usually November to February and from June to August.
Sights
The sights in Ko Samet are found all along the east coast of the island. This is where you'll find the bays that make this area so popular. A good general rule of thumb is the more south you go, the quieter the beaches get. Northern beaches will have things like fire-juggling shows and barbecues while more southern beaches are home to monks.
One of the most popular beaches on the island is Hat Sai Kaew, or Diamond Beach. This beach is ready to cater to tourists with activities like jet skiing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing and more. It can get a little loud during the day and definitely comes to life at night.
If you had your heart set on some peace and quiet, go where the monks go. Just past the mermaid statue in Hat Sai Kaew is Ao Hin Khok. This beach is half the size and the monk accommodation along the sand have signs asking visitors to please keep quiet. It's the perfect spot for quiet sunbathing and inner reflection.
But if it's the local culture you're interested in, you'll want to visit Ao Karang. This beach located at the very tip of the island is extremely quiet where you'll find the best examples of traditional Ko Samet lifestyle.
As you travel along the east coast, you can follow signs for the "next beach," and experience all the bays Ko Samet has to offer. Ao Pai and Ao Wong Deuan are more popular tourist beaches, while places like Ao Put Sa, Ao Nuan, Ao Thian, and Ao Wong Deuan are quieter places for the traveler not looking for some peace and quiet.
Activities
The best experiences on Ko Samet are the ones spent exploring the island itself. Walk along out-of-the-way trails, or rent an ATV for a bit more of an adrenaline rush. Take boat trip, strap on a scuba suit and visit the land beneath the water. The calm waters of Ko Samet are perfect for those who have always wanted to scuba dive, but have never had the opportunity. It's an easy place for beginners to start their training. Classes are usually small, if not one-on-one, and the coral reefs of surrounding islands are not bad to practice on.
Food and Dining
As in most tourist destinations, you'll find food anywhere from local to completely Westernized. Almost every hotel has a restaurant and many will set up tables and chairs on the beach in the evening for some night dining.
If you find yourself in a happy little beach coma, no need to even get up. There are plenty of vendors selling fruits, chicken wings, dried squid, papaya salad and even ice cream to those who would rather not get up.
When the sun goes down, the Roti stands come out. These crepe desserts are typically filled with bananas and covered in chocolate syrup. If you see a stand, stop and treat yourself.
Transportation
There is just one main road on Ko Samet with smaller, bumpier ones branching out to the beaches. The distance between town and the beach isn't very far, so walking is totally possible.
Songthaews are available for those who would rather not walk, and there's also the option to rent a scooter and/or ATV 4-wheeler. Gas is often included and the prices are better down by the pier. If they ask you to leave a deposit or your passport, find another rental spot.
Related:
Partying in
Chiang Mai or other parts of
Thailand?
Going to the
Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan?
Hitting the beach in
Koh Samui?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.