Which place is cheaper, Sydney 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Koh Samet or Sydney?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Sydney, 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 Sydney?
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?
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesSydney Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Sydney $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $207. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Sydney $103
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Sydney $206
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Sydney $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
-
Taxi Ride$13
-
Taxi to Airport$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD shared ride seat in vehicle shuttle transfer: $13
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport: Shared Transfer to Sydney CBD: $22
- Shuttle Transfer from Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay to Sydney Airport: $24
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $24
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney Airport to Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay: $25
- Sydney Arrival Transfer: Airport to City or Overseas Passenger Terminal: $25
- Transfer from White Bay Cruise Terminal to Sydney Airport: $27
- Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $27
- Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $30
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $36
- Sydney Airport Vip Transfer to city: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKoh Samet $54Sydney $77
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
-
Tea$2.62
-
Lunch Special$9.81
-
Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.81
-
Meat Pies$3.27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
- Taste of Sydney Fish Market Food Tour: $64
- Kids Cooking Classes: $64
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Sydney $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Theatre Show$29
-
Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
-
Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$125
-
Powerhouse Museum$9.85
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sydney's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $1.79
- Sydney Cockatoo Island Escape: Convict Adventure Game: $7.20
- Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
- Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
- Sydney Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Haunted Sydney Self-Guided Audio Ghost Tour: $10
- Experience Sydney Audio Tour Adventure: $15
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
- Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
- Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
- Tours & Exhibitions at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Sydney $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
-
Wine$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $103
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
- From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
- Small Group Hunter Valley Wine Tour + Lunch, Gin & Choc ex Sydney: $151
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Sydney, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samet much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Samet is in Asia and Sydney is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Koh Samet would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samet 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney than you might in Koh Samet.
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 Sydney Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Sydney?
Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Sydney. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.
In the summer, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sydney averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
Sydney 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 more rain than Sydneyin January. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Sydney in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Sydney. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Koh Samet is generally a little warmer than Sydneyin April. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin April. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sydney. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Sydneyin April. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Sydney in the Winter?
Both Sydney 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, many visitors come to Sydney in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Koh Samet is much warmer than Sydney in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Sydney during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Sydneyin July. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Sydney in the Spring?
Both Sydney 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. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Koh Samet is much warmer than Sydney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sydney averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.
In Sydney, 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 Sydneyin October. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.
Koh Samet usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Sydneyin October. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.