Which place is cheaper, Xiamen 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 Xiamen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Xiamen? 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 Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $79Xiamen $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $79, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $84. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Xiamen $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Xiamen? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Xiamen $6.08
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
- Smooth Koh Phangan to Phuket Transfer by Catamaran and Bus : $54
- Samui Zipline Adventure with Transfer service: $54
- Private round trip Transfers from Samui Airport : $38
- Private Transfer from Taling Ngam to Samui (USM) Airport: $70
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Mae Nam: $69
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Lamai : $39
- Private Transfer from Mae Nam to Samui (USM) Airport: $69
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui hotels to Ko Samui Cruise Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou : $115
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $39Xiamen $46
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 $12Xiamen $16
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 Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport : $155
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $164
- From 3-Day Tulou and Gulangyu Island Tour: $589
- Fujian Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Tianluokeng and Daping Lou: $194
- Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Yunshuiyao Ancient Village and Hekeng Tulou : $203
- Half-Day Private Tour to Xiamen Gulangyu Island Highlights: $192
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.33Xiamen $17
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Xiamen, we can see that Xiamen 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 Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
Koh Samui is cooler than Xiamen in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samui usually receives around the same amount of rain as Xiamen. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Xiamen in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Xiamen. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Xiamen averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Xiamen. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Xiamen in the Winter?
Both Xiamen 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.
In January, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
In January, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Xiamen in the Spring?
Both Xiamen 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.
Koh Samui is a little warmer than Xiamen in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Xiamen. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (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.