Budget · Koh Samui · Thailand
Koh Samui on a budget
What a trip to Koh Samui really costs, and where the savings are.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Abrget47j, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Koh Samui is moderately priced for most international visitors. Budget roughly $30–$55 per person per day on a tight budget, $90–$200 mid-range and $350–$1,200 for luxury, excluding flights. Hotel prices are usually lowest in November.
Key facts
- Budget traveller
- $30–$55 a day
- Mid-range
- $90–$200 a day
- Luxury
- $350–$1,200 a day
- Local currency
- THB
- Free sights
- 11
Daily budget and trip cost
AMZBooking estimates per person in US dollars, excluding flights, reviewed October 2026. Accommodation is the biggest variable; prices rise in peak months.
| Style | Per day | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $30–$55 | $90–$165 | $150–$275 | $210–$385 |
| Mid-range | $90–$200 | $270–$600 | $450–$1,000 | $630–$1,400 |
| Luxury | $350–$1,200 | $1,050–$3,600 | $1,750–$6,000 | $2,450–$8,400 |
Typical prices
Approximate prices in Koh Samui, October 2026. They change; use them for planning, not as quotes.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Pad thai at a street stall | about ฿60–฿120 |
| Beachfront restaurant meal | about ฿250–฿600 |
| Taxi between Chaweng and Lamai | about ฿300–฿600 |
| One-hour beach massage | about ฿300–฿500 |
| Ang Thong day tour | about ฿1,800–฿3,000 |
| Scooter rental per day | about ฿200–฿350 |
| Cocktail at a beach bar | about ฿200–฿400 |
Money-saving tips
- Flying to Surat Thani and taking the bus-and-ferry combination is usually much cheaper than flying direct to Samui.
- Eat at local restaurants a street back from the beach, where prices drop sharply.
- Use Grab or agree taxi fares in advance; unmetered taxis are among the most expensive in Thailand.
- Visit in May, June or September for lower rates with mostly good weather.
- Villa rentals split between a group can cost less per person than resort rooms.
Free things to do
- Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) — A 12-metre golden seated Buddha built in 1972 stands on a small islet joined to the north-east coast by a causeway.
- Chaweng Beach — Samui's signature beach runs for several kilometres of fine white sand and turquoise water on the east coast.
- Wat Plai Laem — A short drive from the Big Buddha, this temple stands on a lake with an 18-armed statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, and a colourful, Chinese-influenced ordination hall.
- Fisherman's Village, Bophut — Bophut's beachfront lane of old wooden Chinese-Thai shophouses has become Samui's most attractive dining and shopping street.
- Hin Ta and Hin Yai — The 'Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks' at the south end of Lamai are granite formations shaped by the sea that resemble human genitalia, linked by local legend to an elderly couple lost at sea.
- Na Muang Waterfalls — Two waterfalls in the island's interior: Na Muang 1, about 18 metres high with a swimming pool at its base and a short walk from the road, and the taller Na Muang 2, reached by a steeper trail through the forest.
Where to stay on a budget
$$ · Best for budget, couples, beach and nightlife
Lamai
Second-largest beach town, more relaxed than Chaweng
$$ · Best for quiet stays, families, budget and beach
Maenam
Long, quiet north-coast beach with local village life
$$ · Best for budget and first-timers
Bang Rak (Big Buddha Beach)
Practical north-east base near the airport and piers
Eating well for less
- Khao yam — Morning market stalls in Nathon and Lamai and southern Thai restaurants.
- Roti — Roti carts in Chaweng, Lamai and at the Fisherman's Village market.
Getting around for less
A ring road of about 50 km circles the island, connecting all the beaches. There is no public transport beyond shared songthaews, so visitors rely on taxis, ride-hailing apps, scooters or rental cars.
Questions travellers ask
+How much does a trip to Koh Samui cost?
About $450–$1,000 per person for five days mid-range, excluding flights (estimate), or $150–$275 on a tight budget.
+Is Koh Samui expensive?
It is moderately priced for international visitors. Flying to Surat Thani and taking the bus-and-ferry combination is usually much cheaper than flying direct to Samui.
+How much money do I need per day in Koh Samui?
Roughly $30–$55 on a budget and $90–$200 mid-range (estimates).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Koh Samui?
Usually in November.