A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Doha vs. Surat Thani for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Doha or Surat Thani?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Doha and Surat Thani can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Doha or Surat Thani?

Doha

Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.

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 Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Surat Thani or Doha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $244, while the average daily cost in Surat Thani is $68. 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 Doha and Surat Thani in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Surat Thani $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Surat Thani $52
Compare Hotels in Doha and Surat Thani

Looking for a hotel in Doha 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.

Hotels in Doha


Hotels in Surat Thani


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: Doha Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Surat Thani $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:

  • Entry to Angry Birds World with Transfer to Park and Top Up- Private Tour: $174
  • Desert Horse Riding Tour With Transfers From Doha: $160
  • Doha Horseback Riding Adventure in Desert with Transfers: $139
  • Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Van: $129
  • Airport Transfer: Doha Airport DOH to Doha by Luxury Van: $129
  • Doha Arabian Horseback Riding Adventure in Desert with Transfers: $120
  • Doha Private Airport Transfer: $99
  • Hamad Airport Transfer Service – 24/7 Door-to-Door Transport: $98
  • Private Transfer from Doha Hamad Airport(DOH) to Doha Cruise Port: $95
  • Private Transfer: Hamad Airport DOH to Doha by Business Car: $84
  • Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Business Car: $84
  • Qatar Doha Airport (DOH) to Doha - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani

Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Donsak pier to Krabi,Phuket,Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $123
  • From Koh Phangan: Shared Transfer to Khao Sok/Ao Nang/Phuket: $24
  • From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
  • Koh Samui: Full Moon Party Boat Transfer to Koh Phangan: $39
  • Koh Samui: Official Hawk Adventure Zipline Park, No Transfer: $54
  • Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $60
  • Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
  • Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $21
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $39
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $39
  • Samui Airport Transfer: $33
  • Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Surat Thani?

Prices for flights to both Surat Thani and Doha 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Doha $106
    Surat Thani $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.

  • Starlight Dhow Cruise Dinner Experience on Doha Waterfront: $34
  • Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise Tour with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $35
  • Traditional Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner on board: $50
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise in Doha Bay A Traditional Dhow Experience: $55
  • Qatar: Desert Dune Bashing with lunch/dinner in Desert Beach Camp: $55
  • Moonlight Dinner Cruise with Transfers: $59
  • Full-day Desert Beach Camp with Buffet lunch/dinner: $60
  • Private Souk Waqif Tour with Lunch/Dinner: $85
  • Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $99
  • Qatar Desert Safari Tour with Bedouin Camp Lunch or Dinner: $130
  • Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $149
  • Full Day Desert Safari with Inland Sea Visit and Buffet Dinner: $150

Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:


  • Dinner
    $4.47

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:

  • Koh Samui: Island Vista Tour with Dinner and Transfers: $36
  • Jungle Adventure with Bamboo Cooking Class in Khao Sok: $44
  • Bamboo Fire Cooking Survival Experience from Khao Sok: $51
  • Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao: $61
  • Koh Phangan: The Best Authentic Thai Cooking Class: $76
  • Koh Phangan: Jungle Walk and Authentic Thai Cooking Class: $105
  • Koh Samui: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $117
  • Koh Samui: Japanese Cooking Class w/ Chef Daniel at W Samui: $124
  • Koh Samui: All-Inclusive Romantic Dinner, Private Beach, and Sunset: $796

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Surat Thani $5.43

Tours and Activities in Doha

Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $23
  • 4 Hours-Doha City Private or Shared Tour from AirPort/ Hotel: $54
  • 4 Hrs Private Doha Tour: Discover the City’s Premier Attractions!: $115
  • 4 hours Desert Safari Experience in Doha up to Group of 5: $260
  • 4-Hour Private Group City Tour in Doha, Qatar: $45
  • 6 Hours Private Full Day Tour in Doha: $130
  • 8-Hour Private Cultural Tour: $200
  • All Main Doha City Attractions Tour: $50
  • Attractions of Doha City Exploration ( 4-Hours Doha City Tour): $60
  • Brouq Reserve and East to West 4WD Private Tour: $140
  • City Tour and Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Sand Boarding: $88
  • Combo City Tour and Desert Safari Adventure: $120

Tours and Activities in Surat Thani

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.

  • Koh Samui: Minigolf International Entry Ticket: $12
  • Private Taxi Services and Tourism in Koh Samui: $13
  • Samui Go-Karting Experience – Sodikart RT10 Outdoor Race: $21
  • Koh Tao: Full-Day Snorkeling Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pick-up: $25
  • Koh Tao: Half-Day Sunset Snorkeling Tour with Lunch & Pickup: $26
  • Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $31
  • Koh Tao: 5-Bay Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos: $34
  • Koh Tao 5 Best Snorkeling Sunset Tour by Big Boat: $35
  • Ko Samui: Private Longtail Boat Tour to Koh Madsum & Koh Tan: $47
  • Pig Island & Koh Tan Tour by Speed Boat (Snorkeling & Kayaking): $48
  • Koh Pha Ngan: Options Discover of ATV or Zipline Adventures: $48
  • Koh Phangan: Thong Nai Pan & Than Sadet 4x4 Jungle Adventure: $54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    Surat Thani $5.42


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Surat Thani, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha 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 Doha Expensive? and Is Surat Thani Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Doha or Surat Thani?

Doha has a larger population, and is about 344940 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Doha 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.

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