Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Koh Samui?
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 Samui or Gothenburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Gothenburg? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Koh Samui or Gothenburg?
Koh Samui
The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesGothenburg Prices
Sweden Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $79Gothenburg $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $79, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is $145. 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 Samui and Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Gothenburg $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Gothenburg $92
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Gothenburg? 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 Samui Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Gothenburg $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.36
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Gas for Scooter$1.26
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Airport Taxi$14
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- The Red Baron Luxury Yacht Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $168
- Smooth Koh Phangan to Phuket Transfer by Catamaran and Bus : $54
- Samui Zipline Adventure with Transfer service: $54
- Private round trip Transfers from Samui Airport : $38
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Taling Ngam: $69
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Mae Nam: $69
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui island hotels to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Island Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Cruise Port to Ko Samui Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $216
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162
- Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $132
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
- Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $71
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Koh Samui 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 Samui $39Gothenburg $76
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Romantic 4-Course Dinner for Two on the Beach by the Amari Samui: $67
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $78
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $79
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $79
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $81
- Sunset Dinner Cruise by Red Baron In Koh Samui : $81
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $82
- Thai Cooking Class | Since 2012 | Farm to Table: $82
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $82
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $82
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $113
- Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $122
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Gothenburg $18
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Koh Madsum (Pig island) and Koh Tan Day Tour from Koh Samui: $101
- Koh Samui Island ATV Quad Bike Adventure: $98
- Koh Tan and Pig Island Half-Day Tour by Speed Catamaran : $64
- Pig Island Experience By Speed Boat, Snorkeling, Kayaking Relaxing on the Beach: $46
- Private Tour in Koh Samui Waterfall And Mummified Monk Temple: $198
- Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $83
- koh samui island and water fall tour: $49
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Tour In Koh Samui : $89
- 2-Hour Koh Samui ATV Quad Tour: $58
- 2.5-Hours ATV Jungle Adventure Experience from Koh Phangan: $123
- 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $30
- 4WD Buggy. Mountain Tour 3 hrs. for 1-2 people per Buggy in Samui: $275
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $48
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $66
- City Kayak Tour: $53
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37
- Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $48
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $70
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $131
- Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $586
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
- Gothenburg : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $123
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.33Gothenburg $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Gothenburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gothenburg:
- Guided Brewery Tour on Bicycle: $66
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Gothenburg, we can see that Gothenburg is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Samui is in Asia and Gothenburg is in Europe, 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 Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui 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 Gothenburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gothenburg than you might in Koh Samui.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samui Expensive? and Is Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Gothenburg?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Gothenburg, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samui or Gothenburg?
Gothenburg has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Samui experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Samui or Gothenburg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Gothenburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
Koh Samui is much warmer than Gothenburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Gothenburg fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Gothenburg. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Koh Samui is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 9°C (47°F).
Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Gothenburg. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. October to December in Koh Samui is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Gothenburg in the Winter?
Both Gothenburg and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year.
Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
In January, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Gothenburg in the Spring?
Both Gothenburg and Koh Samui during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Koh Samui is much warmer than Gothenburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Gothenburg fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Koh Samui usually gets more rain in April than Gothenburg. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 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.