A Traveller's Guide to Budgeting in Koh Samui
Koh Samui suits almost any budget. You can get by on street food and simple guesthouses, or stay in a pool villa with a private chef, and most visitors land somewhere in between. This guide sets out what things really cost on the island, from beds and meals to transport and day trips, with sample daily budgets and ways to make your money go further.
Quick answer: As a rough guide, per person per day excluding flights and tours, budget travellers spend around 1,000 to 1,500 THB, mid-range travellers around 3,000 to 6,000 THB, and luxury travellers 10,000 THB or more. A street-food meal costs 50 to 150 THB, a scooter about 200 to 300 THB a day, and a group day trip to Ang Thong or Koh Tao from 2,200 THB per person.
- Budget: around 1,000 to 1,500 THB a day.
- Mid-range: around 3,000 to 6,000 THB a day.
- Luxury: 10,000 THB a day and up.
- Island day trips: from 2,200 THB per person on a group tour.
Sample daily budgets
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per room) | 400 to 1,000 THB | 1,500 to 4,000 THB | 8,000 THB and up |
| Food and drink (per person) | 300 to 500 THB | 800 to 1,500 THB | 2,500 THB and up |
| Getting around | 100 to 300 THB | 300 to 800 THB | Private driver |
These are typical figures for the high season from late December to April; rooms are often cheaper from May to June and in the rainy season from October to December. Prices are a guide and vary by area: Chaweng and Choeng Mon cost more, while Maenam and Lamai are usually better value.
Accommodation costs
Simple guesthouses and bungalows start around 400 to 1,000 THB a night, comfortable mid-range hotels with a pool are around 1,500 to 4,000 THB, and luxury resorts and private pool villas start from about 8,000 THB and go well beyond. Villas often work out well for families and groups who split the cost, and pair well with a private chef for an evening in.
Food and drink costs
- Street food and markets: 50 to 150 THB a dish. The night markets at Fisherman's Village, Lamai and Nathon are the best value.
- Local Thai restaurants: around 100 to 250 THB a dish.
- Mid-range and beachfront restaurants: around 200 to 500 THB per person.
- Fine dining: around 1,000 to 3,000 THB per person, more with wine.
- Drinks: beer and cocktails cost far more at beach bars and resorts than in local restaurants and 7-Eleven.
Transport costs
- Scooter hire: around 200 to 300 THB a day (licence and helmet required).
- Car hire: around 1,000 to 2,500 THB a day.
- Taxi: around 400 to 600 THB from the airport to Chaweng; agree the fare first.
- Songthaew: around 50 to 100 THB per person for shorter trips by day.
Our guide to getting around Koh Samui compares each option.
Tours and activities
| Experience | Price |
|---|---|
| Ang Thong or Koh Tao group day trip | From 2,200 THB per person |
| Small-group boutique tour (max 14 guests) | 5,450 THB per person |
| Private luxury longtail to Pig Island | From 10,000 THB per boat (half day) |
| Jungle zip line | 1,900 THB per person |
| Quad biking | 2,800 THB (2 hours) or 4,500 THB (4 hours) |
| Ethical elephant sanctuary | 3,000 THB per adult |
| Private in-villa cooking class | 2,500 THB per adult (minimum 4) |
| Thai massage | Around 300 to 500 THB an hour |
Ang Thong National Marine Park also charges a 300 THB park fee per adult, paid on the day for group and private tours.
Money, cards and tipping
The currency is the Thai baht (THB). ATMs are everywhere, but Thai banks charge around 220 THB per withdrawal on foreign cards, so withdraw larger amounts less often. Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops, often with a small surcharge; markets, street food, songthaews and taxis are cash only. Tipping is appreciated rather than expected: around 10% in sit-down restaurants, and a small tip for guides and boat crews, is generous.
How to save money on Koh Samui
- Eat at night markets and local Thai restaurants rather than beachfront venues.
- Travel in May or June, when seas are usually calm, the summer holidays haven't started and rooms are cheaper.
- Share a private boat or villa: per-boat and per-villa prices fall sharply per person in a group.
- Use Grab or agree taxi fares in advance.
- Mix paid trips with free things to do, such as temples, viewpoints and beaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Koh Samui expensive?
It is pricier than mainland Thailand, but it suits most budgets. Street food, local restaurants and guesthouses are cheap, while beachfront dining, resorts and private charters cost more.
How much money do I need per day in Koh Samui?
As a rough guide, excluding flights and tours: around 1,000 to 1,500 THB per person on a budget, 3,000 to 6,000 THB mid-range, and 10,000 THB or more for luxury.
How much does food cost in Koh Samui?
Street food is around 50 to 150 THB a dish, mid-range restaurants around 200 to 500 THB per person, and fine dining around 1,000 to 3,000 THB per person.
How much is a day trip to Ang Thong or Koh Tao?
From 2,200 THB per person on a group tour, 5,450 THB on a small-group boutique tour, or from 35,000 THB per boat for a private Ang Thong charter.
Should I use cash or card in Koh Samui?
Both. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but you need cash for markets, street food, taxis and songthaews.
When is Koh Samui cheapest?
Rooms are usually cheapest outside the peak months of late December to April, especially from May to June and in the rainy season from October to December.
Reviewed October 2026. Prices are a guide and change with the season.
