Which place is cheaper, Vientiane 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 Vientiane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Vientiane? 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 Vientiane?
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.
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesVientiane Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $79Vientiane $24
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $79, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $24. 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 Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Vientiane $8.45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Vientiane $17
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Vientiane? 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 Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Vientiane $2.01
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:
- Samui International Airport (USM) Departure Shared Transfer: $9.00
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $12
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $14
- Ferry Transfers between Koh Samui and Ko Pha-ngan: $15
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Koh Samui Airport Departure – Shared Transfer: $17
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui: $18
- Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui hotels to Ko Samui Cruise Port: $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane 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 $39Vientiane $12
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
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Vientiane $3.80
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
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide: $110
- 1-Day Tour to Vang Vieng with Private Guide: $200
- 1-Day Vientiane City Adventure: Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $110
- From Plain of Jars Tour & Homestay: $1,650
- From Vang Vieng 2-Day Tour with Blue Lagoon: $354
- From Vang Vieng Tour with Cave Kayak & Zipline: $113
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $99
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $90
- Lao Arts Museum & City Highlights Tour with Lunch: $122
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.33Vientiane $2.12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Vientiane, we can see that Koh Samui is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
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 Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Vientiane, 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 Vientiane?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Samui or Vientiane in the Summer?
Both Vientiane and Koh Samui during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Koh Samui is cooler than Vientiane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samui in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Vientiane averages at about 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Vientiane in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (75°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Vientiane in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Vientiane. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Vientiane in the Spring?
Both Vientiane and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Koh Samui is cooler than Vientiane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samui in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Vientiane averages at about 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.