Which place is cheaper, Islamabad 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 Islamabad?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Islamabad? 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 Islamabad?
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.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesIslamabad Prices
Pakistan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $79Islamabad $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $79, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $51. 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 Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Islamabad $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Islamabad? 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 Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Islamabad $7.49
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: $171
- Koh Samui Paradise Park Farm Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $140
- ATV And Zipline Experience on Koh Samui with Transfer: $127
- Paradise Park Farm Entry Ticket with Transfer: $118
- Guided Zipline Adventure in Ko Samui with Round Trip Transfer: $81
- Full Moon Party Entry Tickets & Round Trip Transfers: $80
- Private Arrival Transfer: Koh Samui Airports to Hotel by Minivan: $75
- Private Transfer from Taling Ngam to Samui (USM) Airport: $70
- Private Transfer from Mae Nam to Samui (USM) Airport: $69
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Mae Nam: $69
- Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport ( USM ) to Conrad Kohsamui : $55
- Samui Zipline Adventure with Transfer service: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Karachi Airport Transfer, Airport Pick and Drop, Rent a Car KHI: $60
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad Airport Transfers : $54
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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 $39Islamabad $25
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:
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $77
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $79
- 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: $82
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $82
- Thai Cooking Class | Since 2012 | Farm to Table: $82
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $82
- Romantic Evening on Koh Samui’s Sunset Dinner Cruise: $108
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $113
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Transfer: $122
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $122
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Islamabad $9.25
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: $99
- 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: $50
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Tour In Koh Samui : $89
- 2 Islands Sightseeing and Snorkeling Trip From Koh Samui: $48
- 2-Hour Koh Samui ATV Quad Tour: $59
- 2.5-Hours ATV Jungle Adventure Experience from Koh Phangan: $123
- 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $30
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Best of One-Day Sightseeing Tour: $95
- Discover Peshawar Full Day Guided Tour from Islamabad: $120
- Exclusive Luxury Private Tour: Discover the Gems of Islamabad: $80
- Explore Takht I Bahi and Peshawar Full Day Tour from Islamabad: $145
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- Full Day Islamabad & Taxila Tour: $78
- Full Day Islamabad Guided City Tour: $100
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $110
- Islamabad City Tour : $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.33Islamabad $2.82
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Islamabad, we can see that Koh Samui is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Samui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samui than you might in Islamabad.
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 Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Islamabad?
Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Islamabad, 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 Islamabad?
Islamabad 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 Islamabad in the Summer?
Both Islamabad and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year.
Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Koh Samui is cooler than Islamabad. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samui in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Islamabad averages at about 32°C (90°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In July, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Islamabad 32°C (90°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Islamabad in the Autumn?
Both Islamabad and Koh Samui during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Koh Samui is generally around the same temperature as Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (75°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Islamabad. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year. December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui. October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Islamabad 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Islamabad in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Islamabad. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
Koh Samui is much warmer than Islamabad in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Islamabad fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In January, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Islamabad. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Islamabad 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Islamabad in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Islamabad. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Islamabad. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samui in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Islamabad averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Koh Samui usually gets more rain in April than Islamabad. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Islamabad 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Islamabad and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Islamabad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.