Which place is cheaper, Surat Thani or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dubai 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 Dubai and Surat Thani can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Surat Thani?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in 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 dayDubai $248Surat Thani $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Surat Thani is $58. 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 Dubai and Surat Thani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Surat Thani $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Surat Thani $54
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Surat Thani
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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: Dubai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Surat Thani $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Burj Khalifa: Skip-the-Line Entry, Gourmet Meal, & Transfer: $799
- From Private Van Transfer in Maybach: $588
- From Jabel Jais High Mountain Tour with Transfers: $326
- Burj Al Arab Alcoholic Hi Tea with Private Transfer: $300
- Zipline Dubai Marina - XLine With Private Transfer : $300
- Private Transfer Dubai Red Dunes Safari & Camel Ride: $300
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with 4X4 Transfers: $299
- The Dubai Mall Tour with Private Transfers : $299
- Jet Car Ride for 2 Pax with Optional Transfer: $299
- Hot Air Balloon with 60 Minutes Balloon Ride with Transfers: $299
- Afternoon Tea at Sahn Eddar in Burj al Arab with Transfers: $299
- Al Rafisah Dam Tour near Dubai with Private Transfers : $295
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Seamless Luxury Transfers from Samui Airport to Phangan: $480
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $127
- Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $87
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $78
- From Koh Samui: Koh Phangan Full Moon Roundtrip Transfer: $69
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $66
- Phuket to Koh Phangan Van and Ferry Transfer: $42
- Koh Samui - Haad Rin, Koh Phangan: Fullmoon Party Transfer: $39
- Transfer From Phuket to Samui Pier: $38
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $37
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Surat Thani?
Prices for flights to both Surat Thani and Dubai 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 dayDubai $56Surat Thani $16
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.53
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DINNER +PARTY + CITY of old city Dubai : $6.00
- Old Town, Creek, Museums, Souks, & Street Food Tour: $8.71
- Al-Seef Premium Dinner Cruise: $13
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Al Seef: $15
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner at Dubai Al Seef: $15
- Dhow Boat Dinner Cruise in Dubai: $16
- Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $16
- Deira Creek: Dhow Cruise Dinner: $16
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
- Catamaran Cruise with Dinner at Al Jaddaf Waterfront Dubai: $17
- Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
- Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner in Deira Creek - Dubai: $18
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$4.45
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: $70
- Koh Samui : Hiking ,Guided walk and cooking: $1,020
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Surat Thani $5.40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- 4 hours Night Yacht Party Tour at Dubai Harbour for Adults : $120
- Abu Dhabi Day Tour with Qasr al Watan: $53
- Abu Dhabi Private tour with professional drive : $289
- Admission ticket for IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai: $95
- Burj Khalifa At the Top & Sky Views Ticket: $167
- Burj Khalifa Observation deck Dubai Admission Ticket : $71
- Burj Khalifa Tour - Top Sky Ticket 124, 125 & 148 Floor Level Access : $165
- Desert Adventure with ATV and Camel Ride and Live Shows: $80
- Dibba Full Day Cruise Trip: $191
- Discover Old Dubai Walking Tour With Food Tasting : $15
- Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with BF : $95
- Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with Breakfast: $105
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- **Paradise Adventure: Escape to Koh Tao from Samui**: $74
- 5 island tour: $510
- ATV Tour in Koh Phangan: $69
- Amazing party at Ko Phangan Jungle Experience: $50
- Angthong Marine Park - Cruise Ship Tours Koh Samui: $142
- Angthong Marine Park Full-Day Big Boat Economy Tour: $45
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $77
- Coral and Pig Island: Koh Samui Island-Hopping Small Group Tour: $51
- Epic Adventure: Day of Exploration in Samui: $66
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $112
- From Ko Pha Ngan: Angthong Marine Park Speedboat Adventure: $87
- From Koh Samui: 2 hour ATV adventure: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Surat Thani $5.39
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $69
- Pub Crawl Private, Birthdays & Corporate Events: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Surat Thani, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive? and Is Surat Thani Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Surat Thani?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 1137350 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai or Surat Thani?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Dubai or Surat Thani in the Summer?
Both Surat Thani and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Dubai is June to August. It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Surat Thani. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. In the summer, Dubai is a little warmer than Surat Thani. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubai in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Surat Thani averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubai 35°C (95°F)Surat Thani 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Surat Thani in the Autumn?
Both Surat Thani and Dubai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.
Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Surat Thani. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Dubai is generally around the same temperature as Surat Thani. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 29°C (84°F), and Surat Thani fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubai 29°C (84°F)Surat Thani 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Surat Thani in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Surat Thani. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai. In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Surat Thani. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Dubai is cooler than Surat Thani in the winter. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Surat Thani fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubai 19°C (66°F)Surat Thani 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Surat Thani in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Surat Thani. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year.
Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Surat Thani. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Dubai is around the same temperature as Surat Thani. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubai in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Surat Thani averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubai 26°C (79°F)Surat Thani 29°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Surat Thani and Dubai
| Dubai | Surat Thani | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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 | 26°C (79°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) | 20 mm (0.8 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.