A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samui vs. Shijiazhuang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samui or Shijiazhuang?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Shijiazhuang? 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 Shijiazhuang?

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.

Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang is the capital city of Hebei Province in China. It is a fairly young city, acting as the regional transport hub and economic center, though there are a few sights worth seeing. The city is also the largest pharmaceutical hub in China, as well as an important center for textile, IT, manufacturing, and chemical industries.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Shijiazhuang 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.

  • Koh Samui Prices
    Thailand Prices
    Shijiazhuang Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Koh Samui $79
    Shijiazhuang $91

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $79, while the average daily cost in Shijiazhuang is $91. 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 Shijiazhuang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samui $26
    Shijiazhuang $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samui $52
    Shijiazhuang $88
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Shijiazhuang

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Shijiazhuang? 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.

Hotels in Koh Samui


Hotels in Shijiazhuang


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samui $19
    Shijiazhuang $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:


  • Scooter Rental
    $2.36
  • Gas for Scooter
    $1.26
  • Airport Taxi
    $14
  • Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach
    $13
  • 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:

  • ATV And Zipline Experience on Koh Samui with Transfer: $127
  • Ferry Transfers between Ko Pha-ngan and Koh Tao: $22
  • Ferry Transfers between Koh Samui and Ko Pha-ngan: $15
  • Full Moon Party by Speed Boat Transfer from Koh Samui: $38
  • Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan Transfer Painting and Party: $49
  • Full Moon Party in Speedboat Transfer From Samui: $51
  • Full Moon Party in Speedboat Transfer From Samui: $47
  • Guided Zipline Adventure in Ko Samui with Round Trip Transfer: $83
  • Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Round Trip Private Transfer: $36
  • Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $18
  • Koh Pha Ngan to Phuket Scenic Catamaran and Bus Transfer : $50
  • Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $12

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Shijiazhuang?

Prices for flights to both Shijiazhuang 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Koh Samui $39
    Shijiazhuang $32
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:


  • 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
  • Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $80
  • Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $81
  • Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $82
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise by Red Baron In Koh Samui : $83
  • Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $83
  • Thai Cooking Class | Since 2012 | Farm to Table: $83
  • Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $83
  • Romantic Evening on Koh Samui’s Sunset Dinner Cruise: $108
  • Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $115
  • Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Transfer: $123

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samui $12
    Shijiazhuang $4.41

Tours and Activities in Koh Samui

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.

  • Coconut Soap Making Demo and Experience Koh Samui: $2.39
  • Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.97
  • Sky Bicycle Jungle Adventure Tour from Koh Samui : $18
  • Samui: Double Seater Karting: Share the Driving Experience: $22
  • Top Sights of Samui City Tour: $25
  • Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
  • Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island : $27
  • 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $27
  • Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $28
  • High Speed Karting Fun Adventure at EasyKart from Koh Samui: $29
  • Koh Samui City & Temples Tour with Na Muang Waterfall: $29
  • Angthong National Marine Park by Highsea Tour (Official): $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samui $5.33
    Shijiazhuang $5.21


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Shijiazhuang, we can see that Shijiazhuang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Shijiazhuang Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Shijiazhuang?

Shijiazhuang has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Shijiazhuang, 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 Shijiazhuang?

Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Shijiazhuang. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Shijiazhuang. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Shijiazhuang. Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samui usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Shijiazhuang. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F) 
    Shijiazhuang 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Koh Samui or Shijiazhuang in the Autumn?

Both Shijiazhuang 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.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Shijiazhuang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Shijiazhuang. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 29 mm (1.1 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samui 24°C (75°F) 
    Shijiazhuang 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Koh Samui or Shijiazhuang in the Winter?

Both Shijiazhuang 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.

It's quite cold in Shijiazhuang in the winter. In the winter, Koh Samui is much warmer than Shijiazhuang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Shijiazhuang averages at about -2°C (29°F).

Koh Samui usually gets more rain in January than Shijiazhuang. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samui 22°C (72°F) 
    Shijiazhuang -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Koh Samui or Shijiazhuang in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Shijiazhuang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.

In April, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Shijiazhuang. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Shijiazhuang fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In April, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Shijiazhuang. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Shijiazhuang receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samui 24°C (76°F) 
    Shijiazhuang 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Shijiazhuang and Koh Samui

Koh Samui Shijiazhuang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in) -2°C (29°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 1°C (33°F) 9 mm (0.3 in)
Mar 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Apr 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (60°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 21°C (71°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Aug 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Nov 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 1°C (33°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)