Which place is cheaper, Surat Thani or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani?
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 Abu Dhabi and Surat Thani can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Surat Thani
The best way to see the real culture of a country is to go where the tourists are not. If you are itching to experience real Thai culture, you may want to visit the city of Surat Thani. Located on the central gulf coast of southern Thailand, this city is usually the gateway to other Thai islands – meaning visitors run through it without stopping. Stay a while and get to know Surat Thani – known to the locals as the "City of Good People."
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Surat Thani $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Surat Thani is $53. 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 Abu Dhabi and Surat Thani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Surat Thani $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Surat Thani $50
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Surat Thani
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani? 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.
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: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Surat Thani $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
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Car Rental$31
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Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Skydive in Abu Dhabi | Tandem Skydive with transfer: $817
- Private Transfer from Qasr Al Sarab to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Fujairah: $274
- Private Transfer from Jebel Dhanna Resort to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Talal Liwa: $274
- Private Transfer from Talal Liwa to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Jebel Dhanna Resort: $274
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Abu Dhabi Helicopter Ride with optional Private Transfers: $222
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $212
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Luxury Van: $202
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.16
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $12
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $14
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $36
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani?
Prices for flights to both Surat Thani and Abu Dhabi 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
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Food Meals for one dayAbu Dhabi $45Surat Thani $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai: Dhow Cruise Marina Multi Cusine Dinner & Tanura Show: $35
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $42
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $45
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $49
- Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $50
- Desert Tour with BBQ Dinner and Hotel Transfer: $51
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:
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Dinner$4.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surat Thani
For Surat Thani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Khao Sok: Elephant Day Care, Cooking Class, & Bamboo Raft: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Surat Thani $4.97
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Full Day City Tour : $100
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entrance Ticket: $41
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $234
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 Hour Ticket/Pass For Yas Water World In Dubai.: $103
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $32
- Abu Dhabi 4G & 5G Data Roaming for Tourist: $11
- Abu Dhabi : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide: $43
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $186
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Pick up and drop off tourists around Koh Samui: $14
- The one and only Zipline Experience of Lamai Viewpoint: $38
- Koh Samui Day and Night Fishing Experience: $48
- Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
- Koh Samui: Unique Iocal Tour & Elephant Sanctuary with lunch: $65
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $69
- X Quad Novice Waterfall ATV Tour (1 Driver): $76
- Koh Samui: Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary Half-Day Tour: $81
- Samui Dolphins Tour by Catamaran Yacht: $87
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $105
- Samui X Quad ATV Tour (1 Driver) with lunch: $122
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Surat Thani $4.96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Surat Thani, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Surat Thani is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Surat Thani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surat Thani and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Surat Thani.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Surat Thani Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 603490 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Surat Thani, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Surat Thani. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Surat Thani. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Surat Thani in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Surat Thani fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Surat Thani 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani in the Autumn?
Both Surat Thani and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Surat Thani. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Surat Thani. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Surat Thani averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Surat Thani 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani in the Winter?
Both Surat Thani and Abu Dhabi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Surat Thani. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Abu Dhabi is generally cooler than Surat Thani. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and Surat Thani fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Surat Thani 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Surat Thani in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Surat Thani. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Surat Thani. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Surat Thani in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Surat Thani fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Surat Thani 29°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Surat Thani and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Surat Thani | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
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.