Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Zhangjiajie, 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 Zhangjiajie?
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?
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
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 Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesZhangjiajie Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Zhangjiajie $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $79. 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 Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet or Zhangjiajie? 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 $79Zhangjiajie $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $321
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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 $54Zhangjiajie $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $10Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Zhangjiajie Pandora Tour to Avatar Hallelujah Mountain: $7.00
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Ticket Booking: $16
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance Ticket Transportation: $42
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon Tickets Booking: $48
- Exclusive VIP Zhangjiajie 4 Days and 3 Nights Private Tour: $50
- Exclusive VIP Zhangjiajie 5 Days and 4 Nights Private Tour: $50
- Charming Xiangxi Show VIP ticket with round trip transport: $52
- Fox Fairy Show VIP ticket with round trip private transport: $52
- Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Ticket Booking: $55
- One Day Mini Group Tour to Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain: $63
- Mini Group Tour: Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountains: $66
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tickets Booking: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $5.38Zhangjiajie $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie.
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 Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet or Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Zhangjiajie. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Zhangjiajie. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
Both Zhangjiajie and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year.
In the autumn, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samet in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 19°C (65°F).
It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
Both Zhangjiajie and Koh Samet during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Koh Samet is generally much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 25°C (77°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in January than Zhangjiajie. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Zhangjiajie. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.
Koh Samet is much warmer than Zhangjiajie in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Zhangjiajie. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Zhangjiajie | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.