A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samui vs. Melbourne for Nightlife, Beaches, Food, and Families

Should you visit Koh Samui or Melbourne?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Koh Samui or Melbourne? 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.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a tropical, rainforest-covered, and lush resort island. Koh Samui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Koh Samui travel costs.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Melbourne travel costs.

Koh Samui and Melbourne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Melbourne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Melbourne. Although Koh Samui and Melbourne are both popular with visitors, Melbourne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Melbourne is more popular for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Samui is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Koh Samui is more touristy than Melbourne and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Melbourne is popular for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also home to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Koh Samui different from Melbourne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Melbourne and Koh Samui. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Samui or Melbourne?

Melbourne is a great city for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Koh Samui or Melbourne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Melbourne can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Koh Samui has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Food on the island is fresh and delicious. You'll find fine dining restaurants as well as hole-in-the-wall dives where you can enjoy local flavors. There are also international restaurants if you need a break from the curries. Beachfront restaurants offer a beautiful setting and sunset dinner cruises are a not-to-be-missed experience. Authentically local dishes usually include some form of coconut but there are also other common Thai dishes available almost anywhere like curries or Pad Thai.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Melbourne makes for a great culinary experience. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Koh Samui is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. All night beach parties, cheap bars, and lively dance clubs all give this island its party atmosphere. Young travelers from around the globe head here to enjoy music, cheap drinks, and world class fun. For the most active nightlife, head to Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach or Bophut Beach.

Melbourne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Melbourne is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Koh Samui is a great choice. The island is filled with countless resorts, hotels, and private villas that you can rent. You can choose from beachfront properties or resorts that are located in the hills, which offer beautiful views. The resorts often have pools and range from five star all the way down to budget-friendly.

Melbourne is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Koh Samui. It's easy to arrange snorkeling or scuba diving trips through hotels or travel companies, but it's also possible to snorkel right off the shore in places like Chaweng Beach. Due to the island's popularity, the coral isn't always the healthiest, but the water is clear and you'll likely see some interesting sea life just off the shore.

Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is very popular for the beach. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Koh Samui. The white sand beaches are lined with coconut trees and look out on crystal blue waters, making this a perfect tropical destination. There are lively activity-filled beaches as well as quiet retreats where you can enjoy a peaceful setting away from the crowds.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Koh Samui. Hikes will take you inland through the beautiful rainforest. There are hidden waterfalls as well as Buddha gardens and ridge trails with breathtaking views. Hikes range from easy to challenging, so make sure you understand the skill level required before you set out.

Melbourne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Melbourne?

Melbourne is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Melbourne. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Koh Samui is a great destination for shopping. The resort areas have the most interesting shops and you'll find the most options around Chaweng. There are boutique shops as well as some malls. You can sometimes negotiate prices down in independently run stores, but some places advertise fixed prices.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne More Beautiful?

Koh Samui is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Koh Samui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's laid back vibe and quintessential beach setting make this a wonderful holiday destination. It's the second largest island in Thailand and there are resorts, hotels, and restaurants for everyone.

Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Koh Samui or Melbourne.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Koh Samui. The island is one of the slightly calmer, family-friendly options in Thailand. It has a number of activities that all ages can enjoy including water parks, water sports, and temples to explore. Snorkeling is also fun and there's an aquarium and zoo that you can check out.

Melbourne is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Couples?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Koh Samui makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dinner cruises, beachfront restaurants, and beautiful sunsets all make this island a romantic destination for couples. There are also spas, resorts, and fine dining restaurants that you can enjoy.

Melbourne is a good resort island for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Samui is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Koh Samui. The island feels a bit more like a holiday destination than a backpacker destination, but it still has a lively nightlife and affordable accommodation around Lamai Beach. It's also a nice place to go for yoga or Muay Thai classes.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Students?

Melbourne is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Samui is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Koh Samui is not popular with students.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Melbourne is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for its public transit.

The public transit in Melbourne can get you to most places easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Koh Samui has a few public transit options. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Is Koh Samui or Melbourne a more walkable city?

Melbourne is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

Koh Samui is generally not very walkable. The roads have a good amount of traffic and generally aren't designed for walking.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Samui Worth Visiting? and Is Melbourne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Melbourne or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Melbourne?

In either Koh Samui or Melbourne, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Samui than Melbourne because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 2-5 days is enough time in Melbourne.

Families should spend more time in Koh Samui than Melbourne. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Koh Samui, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Koh Samui than Melbourne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Samui that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Samui than Melbourne if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Koh Samui.

One day in Koh Samui or Melbourne?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort island of Koh Samui. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

People visit Melbourne because there is so much to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Samui or Melbourne?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the lush destination of Koh Samui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

People visit Melbourne because there is so much to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Melbourne?

You'll find nightlife and food around the lush resort island of Koh Samui. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort island has to offer.

People visit Melbourne because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Koh Samui or Melbourne?

Koh Samui is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Koh Samui, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Melbourne is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Melbourne?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Melbourne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

In July, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Melbournein January. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Melbourne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Melbourne. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Melbourne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in April.

Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 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.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Melbourne in the Winter?

Both Melbourne 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. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Koh Samui is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Melbourne averages at about 9°C (49°F)in July.

In January, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Melbournein July. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Melbournein October. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Melbournein October. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Koh Samui