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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Rome?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Rome? 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 laid back, beautiful, and tropical resort island. The famous beauty of Koh Samui is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Koh Samui travel costs.

Rome

Rome is a bustling, fun-filled, and popular city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come to Rome because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Rome travel costs.

Koh Samui and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Rome?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome. Although Koh Samui and Rome are popular destinations, Rome has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rome is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Samui attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Koh Samui is famous for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Rome is famous for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also well known for The Colosseum.

The Colosseum

How is Koh Samui different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rome 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 Rome?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Rome has many famous sights for visitors. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Rome is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Koh Samui makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Koh Samui or Rome Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both Koh Samui and Rome.

Koh Samui has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Rome is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

Is Koh Samui or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Koh Samui is not a live music destination.

Rome has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Koh Samui is not a live music destination.

Is Koh Samui or Rome Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Rome is not a resort destination.

Koh Samui is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Rome is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Samui is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Samui is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Rome Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.

Koh Samui is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Samui or Rome Better for Hiking?

Koh Samui is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Rome is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Rome?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for shopping.

Many people travel to Rome specifically to go shopping. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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 Rome More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of terrific scenery and beauty in both Koh Samui and Rome.

Many visitors also come to Koh Samui because of it's amazing beauty. 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.

You'll find world class beauty in Rome as well. With its many beautiful landmarks and impressive architecture, this city has a lot of attractive places to visit. Don't miss Villa Borghese Park, Trastevere, Palazzo Madama, the Appian Way, and Piazza Navona.

Is Koh Samui or Rome Better for Families?

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

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.

Rome is a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Is Koh Samui or Rome Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Koh Samui and Rome make for a excellent place to visit.

Koh Samui is a great resort island if you're traveling as 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.

Rome is a very popular place to visit for couples. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

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

Rome is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rome, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Koh Samui or Rome Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Rome. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Koh Samui is not popular with students.

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

Rome is an amazing city to visit 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.

Public transit in Rome is top-notch. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

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 Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Rome is a very easy city to get around on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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 Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Rome?

Both Koh Samui and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Rome has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rome than Koh Samui. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Koh Samui 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 Rome.

One day in Koh Samui or Rome?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Koh Samui. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

People visit Rome because there is so much to do. 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 Rome?

Koh Samui is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

People visit Rome because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Rome?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the laid back destination of Koh Samui. This resort island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

People visit Rome 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. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Koh Samui or Rome?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lush resort island of Koh Samui. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Rome is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rome, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Rome, 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 Rome?

Rome 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 Rome in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Rome. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rome because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Koh Samui is a little warmer than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Rome. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February. The rainy season in Koh Samui is October to December.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Koh Samui during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

In January, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Koh Samui usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Rome in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Rome. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In April, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Rome. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and Koh Samui