Which place is cheaper, Queenstown 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 Queenstown?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Queenstown, 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 Queenstown?
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?
Queenstown
Queenstown is a popular tourist destination on New Zealand's South Island. It is beautifully surrounded by the Southern Alps and sits on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Across the lake you will find a stunning view of the Remarkables, a dramatic mountain range. The town itself is quite touristy, but prices still remain reasonable. There are options for all travel budgets, whether you're a backpacker hoping to save a few dollars or a family looking for some luxury accommodation. Despite its natural and tranquil setting, Queenstown is actually very much a party town, particularly during the peak seasons. Don't be surprised to find people out enjoying themselves until the early hours of the morning. If you're not into the party scene and are hoping to get a decent night's sleep, consider staying a little outside of town. About an hour outside of Queenstown you'll find Wanaka, which is a much smaller and peaceful town without the party scene.
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 Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesQueenstown Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Queenstown $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Queenstown is $130. 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 Queenstown in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Queenstown $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Queenstown $110
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Queenstown
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Queenstown? 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 Queenstown Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Queenstown $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Queenstown
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Queenstown:
- ZQN Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $27
- Queenstown Private Airport Transfer: Door to Door Service: $29
- QUEENSTOWN:Private 1 way Airport transfer to/from CBD Hotels: $52
- One way transfer to Remarkable or Coronet Peak Ski Fields: $60
- Private Airport Transfer Vice Versa in Queenstown by SUV: $69
- Private Queenstown Airport to Hotel Transfers : $83
- Queenstown private transfer: $87
- Queenstown International Airport to City Hotels Transfer : $89
- Queenstown Airport to/from Wanaka Hassle Free Private Transfer : $101
- Queenstown to Mt Cook One Way Scenic Transfer: $115
- From Cardrona Ski/Snowboard Rentals & Transfer: $152
- Private Transfer from Wanaka to Queenstown Airport: $176
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Queenstown?
Prices for flights to both Queenstown 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 $54Queenstown $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Queenstown
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Queenstown.
- Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza: $17
- Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown: $119
- Wine & Food Tour, Scenic Tastings & Paired Lunch: $138
- Queenstown Wine & Food Tour: Scenery, Tastings & Delicious Lunch!: $148
- Queenstown Progressive Dinner & Wine Tour | 3 Stunning Locations: $285
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Queenstown $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Queenstown
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Queenstown are as follows:
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Skyline Gondola (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Queenstown
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Queenstown are as follows:
- Underwater Theatre Experience Entry Ticket: $12
- Augmented Reality Escape Adventure: $20
- Fear Factory Haunted House Admission Ticket: $23
- Escape Adventure AR Experience in Queenstown: $23
- Private Race Car Simulation Experience: $26
- Gibbston Valley Wines - Winery Tour: $29
- Minus 5 Ice Bar Experience with Drink Options: $29
- Go Karts - Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park: $32
- Kiwi Park Admission Ticket: $35
- Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise: $40
- Scenic Queenstown Lake Cruise : $41
- Coronet Peak Snow Play Experience from Queenstown: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Queenstown $8.86
Sample the Local Flavors in Queenstown
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Queenstown:
- Ice Bar Crawl: $23
- Queenstown, Arrowtown, Gibbston: Join the Only Flexible Wine Tour: $59
- Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Queenstown : $59
- Bike & Wine Tour: Arrowtown to Valley of the Vines: $68
- Queenstown & Gibbston Valley: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tours: $75
- Craft Beer Brewery Tour with Lunch: $107
- Queenstown's Original Wine Tour Celebrating 33 Years: $113
- Classic Wine Tour: $127
- Queenstown Classic Wine Tour: 3 Winery Visits, Cave Tour & Cheese: $131
- Central Otago Wine Tour: $132
- Central Otago Wine Tour Small Group, Expert Guide & Scenic Views: $136
- Queenstown Wine Tour: $139
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Queenstown, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Koh Samet is in Asia and Queenstown is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Queenstown Expensive?.
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.