Ayutthaya vs Koh Samui
The short answer
Ayutthaya is the cheaper trip, by roughly 42% a day β $20β45 against $30β75 mid-range per person. Both are at their best in DecβFeb, so one trip can take in both.
Side by side
Mid-range, per person, in US dollars. Both guides were costed the same way β see how we work these out.
| πΉπ Ayutthaya | πΉπ Koh Samui | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budgetmid-range, per person | $20β45cheaper | $30β75 |
| Cheap meallocal staple | $1.20β2.50cheaper | $1.50β3 |
| Mid-range hotelper night | $25β55cheaper | $50β115 |
| Transit ridesingle trip | $0.30β1cheaper | $1β4 |
| Avg. monthly salarylocal, for context | β $400 | β $480 |
When to go
Filled months are the ones each guide recommends; hollow ones it warns off.
What you'd actually do
A few of each guide's picks, one per category before seconds β the full lists are on the guides themselves.
πΉπ Ayutthaya
The ruined former capital of the Siamese kingdom β brick chedis and headless Buddhas scattered across a bicycle-friendly park, an easy 1.5-hour train ride from Bangkok's chaos.
- Wat Mahathat$Temples & culture
- Bann Kun Pra$$Restaurants
- Hua Raw Night Market$Markets
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram$Temples & culture
- Baan Mai Rim Nam$$Restaurants
πΉπ Koh Samui
Thailand's second-biggest island, and its most polished β coconut groves giving way to resort strips, a golden Big Buddha watching over the northeast coast, and an easy, no-boat-required flight straight in.
- Ark Bar$$Beach clubs
- The Shack$$Restaurants
- Green Mango$$Nightlife
- Nikki Beach$$$Beach clubs
- 2 Fishes$$Restaurants
Practicalities
| Ayutthaya | Koh Samui | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Thai. English is limited outside the main historical park and station area β a translation app helps. | Thai. English is widespread in Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai; thinner in the interior. |
| Tap water | Don't drink it β bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere | Don't drink it β bottled water is sold everywhere, often free at hotels |
The same in both:
- Currency
- Thai baht (ΰΈΏ). US$1 β ΰΈΏ35
- Time zone
- ICT (UTC+7)
- Power
- 220V; outlets take most two-pin plugs (A/C hybrids)
- Emergency
- 191 police Β· 1669 ambulance Β· 1155 tourist police (English)