Which place is cheaper, Hanoi 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 Hanoi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Hanoi, 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 Hanoi?
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?
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
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 Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesHanoi Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Hanoi $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Hanoi is $57. 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 Hanoi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Hanoi $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Hanoi $50
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Hanoi
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Hanoi? 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 and Hanoi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Hanoi $6.54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.03
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Hanoi Private Transfer Taxi with Vietnam SIM Card & Internet: $6.90
- Noi Bai Airport transfer to Hanoi Center and more: $8.00
- Hanoi Private Departure Transfer: City Center Hotel to Airport: $8.00
- Noi Bai Airport Transfer Service: $8.54
- Private Hanoi Airport (HAN) Transfer to Hotel/Accommodation: $9.00
- Hanoi Airport Departure Shared Transfer: $10
- Hanoi to Halong Bay Limousine Bus Transfer: $11
- Bus Transfer Hanoi to Halong Bay and Vice Versa : $11
- Private Car Ha Noi Airport Transfer : $12
- Hanoi Private Taxi Transfer Service: $13
- Private Transfer Between Hanoi Airport (han) And Hanoi City Center: $13
- Hanoi Airport Transfer: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Hanoi?
Prices for flights to both Hanoi 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 $54Hanoi $23
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.17
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR : $5.13
- Hanoi Old Quarter Cooking Class Tour With Local Market Shopping : $9.71
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $18
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Experience Guide & Real Foodie: $24
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Local Delicacies (3 Hours): $24
- Best Hanoi Day Street Food Tour with Real Foodie Tastings: $24
- Hanoi Food Tours: $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Hanoi $8.07
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.65
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hanoi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.52
- Vietnam 7 Day 30GB Tourist SIM Rental: $4.66
- (Evening) HANOI CUSTOMIZED Walking Tour: $5.00
- Hanoi Old Quarter Private Walking Tour Half Day : $5.00
- Iconic Landmarks Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
- Hanoi Old Quarter Half-day Private Walking Tour : $5.00
- Craft Village Tour (Quang Phu Cau, Bat Trang, Chuong Conical,...): $5.00
- Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day): $5.00
- Half Day Hanoi Old Quarter Private Walking Tour : $5.00
- Half Day Hanoi Old Quarter Private Walking Tour: $5.00
- Street Food Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Sightseeing Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Hanoi $7.30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Hanoi, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Hanoi.
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 Hanoi Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Hanoi?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hanoi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Hanoi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. Hanoi 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 less rain than Hanoi. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Hanoi in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Hanoi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Hanoi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hanoi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Hanoi. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year.
Also, November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Hanoi. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Hanoi. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Hanoi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Hanoi averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Hanoi 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hanoi in the Winter?
Both Hanoi 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. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Hanoi. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Hanoi. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Hanoi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Hanoi 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hanoi in the Spring?
Both Hanoi 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round.
November to April is the dry season in Hanoi. May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in April than Hanoi. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samet is a little warmer than Hanoi in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Hanoi fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Hanoi 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Hanoi and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Hanoi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.