Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Koh Samet?
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 Koh Samet or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Beijing, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Koh Samet or Beijing?
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?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesBeijing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Beijing $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $91. 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 Koh Samet and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Beijing $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Beijing $80
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Beijing? 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: Koh Samet Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Beijing $7.83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.78
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Train from Airport for Two$7.01
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Taxi to Hotel$8.41
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2 Metro Passes$2.24
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Metro$0.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Private Transfers for City, Suburbs & Airport/Train: $1.46
- Beijing Great Wall Badaling or Mutianyu with Transfer[Optional]: $12
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $19
- Beijing Private Railway Station Arrival/Departure Transfers: $20
- Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Sightseeing Full-day Bus Transfer: $20
- Beijing Airport:Private One-Way Transfer from Beijing City Center: $20
- Beijing Daxing International Airport shuttle bus transfer service: $20
- Afternoon Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
- Mutianyu Great Wall Round-Trip Transfer with Driver & Ticket: $20
- Morning Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
- Beijing Airport Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Koh Samet 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 dayKoh Samet $54Beijing $34
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.84
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.01
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.80
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Watermelon$1.96
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$17
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Two Popsicles$0.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $70
- Beijing Hidden Hutong Bike & Food Tour - Pro Photos Included: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Beijing $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.41
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Two Opera Tickets$60
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.81
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Capital Museum tour includes Ticket: $2.78
- Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.92
- Beijing:Tiananmen Square tickets with guide(optional): $3.19
- Forbidden City Walking Guided Tour w/ Entry Tickets: $3.60
- Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.79
- Tiananmen Square - Registration Ticket: $3.79
- Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Jingshan Park Ticket or Tours: $4.00
- Beijing Forbidden City,Tianmen Square Admission Tickets: $4.00
- Tickets to all Beijing attractions (Forbidden City optional): $4.21
- Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square Walking Tour: $4.38
- Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours: $4.38
- The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket: $4.38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $158
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Beijing, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Beijing?
Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Samet experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Samet or Beijing in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Also, many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Beijing. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing averages at about 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.
Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of rain as Beijing. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Beijing 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Beijing in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Beijing. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Koh Samet is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun.
Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Beijing. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Beijing 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Beijing in the Winter?
Both Beijing and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Beijing can be very cold during winter. Koh Samet is much warmer than Beijing in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Beijing during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Beijing. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Beijing -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Beijing in the Spring?
Both Beijing and Koh Samet during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Koh Samet is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in April than Beijing. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Beijing 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Beijing and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Beijing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.