Is Koh Samet expensive to visit?
In Koh Samet, budget travelers spend $57 (฿1,852) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $131 (฿4,234) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $250 (฿8,090) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Koh Samet.
Koh Samet is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Koh Samet has the potential to be expensive, but you can manage your budget by looking for discounts and coupons.
Within Asia, Koh Samet is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Koh Samet is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Koh Samet Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Koh Samet?
The average Koh Samet trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Koh Samet travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Koh Samet cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Koh Samet, it's important to have realistic expectations about your budget. Many believe they can travel on a shoestring, but that often leads to either uncomfortable travel experiences or some surprisingly high expenses. Consider your vacation style. Do you enjoy staying in hostels, resorts, regular hotels, or vacation rentals? Are attractions and dining experiences a priority? These factors will affect how much you spend and your itinerary.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $57 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Luckily, Koh Samet has plenty of hostels, including Sundaze Samet - Bar & Hostel, Stay Samed, and The Cocoon Hostel. Here, you can enjoy budget dorm accommodation along with a friendly, social vibe, but amenities are quite limited.
So, are you average?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. Visitors to Koh Samet typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $131 per person, per day.
Koh Samet offers a diverse selection of hotels and vacation rentals. If you're traveling with companions, you can share a hotel room with a partner, friend, or your kids, making it easier on your wallet. Families should look for hotels and restaurants that are family-friendly. Baan Ploy Sea is an excellent option for kids, and Le Vimarn Cottages & Spa is another fantastic choice. For more family and couple-friendly accommodations, check out our hotel guide for Koh Samet here.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $250 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary.
Accommodation Budget in Koh Samet
Koh Samet has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $41 in the off-season and averages $77 during peak season. Overall, you can expect prices from $24 to $129. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Koh Samet for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $74 (฿2,343). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $37 (฿1,171) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Koh Samet include:
- Le Vimarn Cottages & Spa starting at $106
- SummerDay Beach Resort starting at $85
- Baan Ploy Sea starting at $68
- Baan Supparod starting at $34
- Ao Prao Resort starting at $83
By avoiding the peak season and traveling in the low or shoulder seasons, you will be rewarded with lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds.
Food Budget in Koh Samet
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Koh Samet can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Koh Samet is $54 (฿1,730) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$54
฿1,730
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Koh Samet is around $54 (฿1730) per person, with previous travelers spending from $23 to $102. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Koh Samet are as follows:
- Breakfast: $5 to $16
- Lunch: $8 to $21
- Dinner: $16 to $37
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $8
As in most tourist destinations, you'll find food anywhere from local to completely Westernized. Almost every hotel has a restaurant and many will set up tables and chairs on the beach in the evening for some night dining.
If you find yourself in a happy little beach coma, no need to even get up. There are plenty of vendors selling fruits, chicken wings, dried squid, papaya salad and even ice cream to those who would rather not get up.
When the sun goes down, the Roti stands come out. These crepe desserts are typically filled with bananas and covered in chocolate syrup. If you see a stand, stop and treat yourself.
Many establishments feature breakfast in their pricing, although some tack it on as an added expense. The price and quality can fluctuate depending on the hotel. Being aware of this beforehand helps you gauge if you'll need extra cash. The hotel buffet might be a delicious choice, or you could save some cash by heading to a nearby bakery or cafe.
Having a water bottle can help you save on drinks and do your part for the environment.
Planning a tour? Be sure to confirm in advance which meals are provided. You could find yourself footing the bill for some meals, which can affect your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Koh Samet
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Koh Samet typically cost an average of $10 (฿329) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$10
฿329
The sights in Ko Samet are found all along the east coast of the island. This is where you'll find the bays that make this area so popular. A good general rule of thumb is the more south you go, the quieter the beaches get. Northern beaches will have things like fire-juggling shows and barbecues while more southern beaches are home to monks.
One of the most popular beaches on the island is Hat Sai Kaew, or Diamond Beach. This beach is ready to cater to tourists with activities like jet skiing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing and more. It can get a little loud during the day and definitely comes to life at night.
If you had your heart set on some peace and quiet, go where the monks go. Just past the mermaid statue in Hat Sai Kaew is Ao Hin Khok. This beach is half the size and the monk accommodation along the sand have signs asking visitors to please keep quiet. It's the perfect spot for quiet sunbathing and inner reflection.
But if it's the local culture you're interested in, you'll want to visit Ao Karang. This beach located at the very tip of the island is extremely quiet where you'll find the best examples of traditional Ko Samet lifestyle.
As you travel along the east coast, you can follow signs for the "next beach," and experience all the bays Ko Samet has to offer. Ao Pai and Ao Wong Deuan are more popular tourist beaches, while places like Ao Put Sa, Ao Nuan, Ao Thian, and Ao Wong Deuan are quieter places for the traveler not looking for some peace and quiet.
The best experiences on Ko Samet are the ones spent exploring the island itself. Walk along out-of-the-way trails, or rent an ATV for a bit more of an adrenaline rush. Take boat trip, strap on a scuba suit and visit the land beneath the water. The calm waters of Ko Samet are perfect for those who have always wanted to scuba dive, but have never had the opportunity. It's an easy place for beginners to start their training. Classes are usually small, if not one-on-one, and the coral reefs of surrounding islands are not bad to practice on.
Koh Samet, Thailand
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.