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

Should you visit Petra or Koh Samet?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Koh Samet can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Koh Samet?

Petra

Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.

Koh Samet

The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Samet or Petra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Koh Samet is $133. 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 Petra and Koh Samet in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Koh Samet $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Koh Samet $74
Compare Hotels in Petra and Koh Samet

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Koh Samet? 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 Petra


Hotels in Koh Samet


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: Petra Hotel Prices and Koh Samet Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Koh Samet $79

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
  • Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
  • Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
  • Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $140
  • From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Koh Samet?

Prices for flights to both Koh Samet and Petra 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
    Petra $66
    Koh Samet $54
Typical Food Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.

  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $50
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Koh Samet $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:


  • Entry to Petra for One
    $71

Tours and Activities in Petra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:

  • Hike Tour of Petra: $10
  • 3-Hour Private Petra Tour: Exclusive Classical Guided Experience: $55
  • Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
  • 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
  • Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $100
  • Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
  • 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
  • From Petra Wadi Rum Private 8 hours roundtrip tour : $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Koh Samet $5.38


When comparing the travel costs between Petra and Koh Samet, we can see that Petra 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. Even though Petra is in Middle East and Koh Samet is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Koh Samet Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Petra or Koh Samet?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Petra or Koh Samet in the Summer?

Both Koh Samet and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Koh Samet. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Koh Samet during summer. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Samet receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

Petra can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Petra is generally a little warmer than Koh Samet. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 33°C (91°F), and Koh Samet fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Petra 33°C (91°F) 
    Koh Samet 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Petra or Koh Samet in the Autumn?

Both Koh Samet and Petra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round.

Koh Samet gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Petra usually gets less rain in October than Koh Samet. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Petra. In the autumn, Petra often gets more sunshine than Koh Samet. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Samet receives 167 hours of full sun.

Petra is around the same temperature as Koh Samet in the autumn. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Koh Samet fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Petra 27°C (80°F) 
    Koh Samet 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Petra or Koh Samet in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Koh Samet. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Petra usually receives less rain than Koh Samet. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Samet this time of the year. In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives less sunshine than Koh Samet during winter. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Samet receives 255 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Petra is much colder than Koh Samet. Typically, the winter temperatures in Petra in January average around 15°C (59°F), and Koh Samet averages at about 25°C (77°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Petra 15°C (59°F) 
    Koh Samet 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Petra or Koh Samet in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Petra as well as Koh Samet. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year.

Petra usually gets less rain in April than Koh Samet. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Koh Samet receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the spring, Petra often gets more sunshine than Koh Samet. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Samet receives 239 hours of full sun.

In April, Petra is generally cooler than Koh Samet. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 25°C (76°F), and Koh Samet fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Petra 25°C (76°F) 
    Koh Samet 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Samet and Petra

Petra Koh Samet
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 15°C (59°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 30°C (87°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in)
Dec 16°C (62°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)


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