Which place is cheaper, Hue 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 Hue?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Hue, 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 Hue?
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?
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Cultural Tours in Vietnam.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesHue Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Hue $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Hue is $56. 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 Hue in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Hue $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Hue $44
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Hue
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Hue? 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 Hue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Hue $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
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Cyclo$0.45
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Short Taxi Ride$0.83
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Taxi Ride to Tombs$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Hue Airport: Private Transfer to/or from Hue City Center: $4.73
- Phu Bai Airport to Hue City: Private Transfer: $5.91
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer - Airport to Hotels or vice versa: $6.75
- Transfer from Hue airport to Hue city center or vice versa: $6.82
- Transfer between Hue Hotels and Hue Airport: $7.11
- Airport Transfer to/from City Center: $7.69
- Hue city Airport transfer - All Inclusive : $9.60
- Shared Car Transfer from Phu Bai Airport to City Center: $9.86
- Hue Car Rental with Driver for Transfer Trip and Sightseeing: $11
- Private Transfer: Hue City Center - Hue Train Station: $11
- Phu Bai airport to/from Hue City Center - Private Transfer: $11
- HUI: Transfer Phu Bai airport to Hue city center: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Hue?
Prices for flights to both Hue 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 $54Hue $25
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
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River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.58
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Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.76
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Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.08
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $21
- Walking Street Food tour in Hue: $26
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Eat Like a Local with a Local Hue Food Tour : $30
- Home Cooking Class and Dinner with Local Chef in Hue City: $31
- HUE : NIGHT WALKING AND STREET FOOD TOUR: $32
- Hue : Night Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $32
- Hue Half Day Tour: Sunset on Tam Giang Lagoon with Dinner: $33
- Hue : Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Cooking Class with Local Family: $34
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $34
- Guided Local Food Tour with Tastings: $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Hue $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
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Boat Ride$7.39
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.06
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Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.03
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Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- Hue Imperial Ancient City Walking Tour: $2.00
- Eat like a local with a local - Walking Tour: $2.00
- Traditional Singing on Huong River Ticket: $4.07
- Private City Tour By Car - English Speaking Driver: $5.91
- Vietnam Song Lab Digital Art Center Entry Ticket: $7.66
- Hue Imperial City 3 Hour Walking Tour for Budget Travelers: $8.00
- City Tour with Driver - Customized Your Own Itinerary: $8.67
- Imperial City Walk, Motorbike Tour & Private Car Options: $10
- Private City Tour by Car with English-Speaking Driver: $10
- Experience Paper Flower Making in Hue for a Cause: $10
- Hue Royal Tombs Tour Visit 3 Best Tombs & Pagoda: $13
- HUE - HOI AN BUS TOUR 4 STOPS VIA HAI VAN PASS: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Hue $5.49
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
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Beer$0.95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Hue, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Hue.
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 Hue Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Hue?
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 Hue in the Summer?
Both Hue and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hue is March to August. The rainy season in Hue is September to December. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Hue. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Hue receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Hue. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Hue during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Hue receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Hue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Hue averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Hue 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hue in the Autumn?
Both Hue and Koh Samet during the autumn 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 Hue year-round.
September to December is the rainy season in Hue. Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in October than Hue. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Hue receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hue. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hue receives 158 hours of full sun.
In October, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Hue. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Hue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Hue 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hue in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Hue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
March to August in Hue is the dry season. Hue receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Hue. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Hue receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Hue during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Hue receives 136 hours of full sun in the winter.
Koh Samet is a little warmer than Hue in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Hue fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Hue 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Hue in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Hue. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in April than Hue. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Hue receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hue. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Hue. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hue receives 210 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Hue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Hue averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Hue 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Hue and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Hue | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.