Which place is cheaper, Surat Thani or Eilat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eilat or Surat Thani?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Eilat or Surat Thani? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Eilat or Surat Thani?
Eilat
Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.
Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.
Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.
Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, 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 dayEilat $140Surat Thani $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Eilat is $140, 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 Eilat and Surat Thani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEilat $93Surat Thani $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEilat $186Surat Thani $50
Compare Hotels in Eilat and Surat Thani
Looking for a hotel in Eilat 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: Eilat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eilat $13Surat Thani $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:
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Local Bus$3.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat
Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
- Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $36
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $12
- From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.16
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Eilat or Surat Thani?
Prices for flights to both Surat Thani and Eilat 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 dayEilat $35Surat Thani $14
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.Eilat $16Surat Thani $4.97
Tours and Activities in Eilat
For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
- 2 day tour to Petra from Eilat: $299
- Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
- From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $63
- Full Day Petra Tour from Eilat: $289
- Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
- Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
- Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
- Park Timna: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
- Petra 2-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Authentic Lunch: $290
- Petra and Wadi Rum 2 day tour from Eilat: $299
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- 5 island tour: $459
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $69
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $105
- From Phuket: Cheow Lan Lake 2Day Guided Tour with Activities: $203
- From Phuket: Full-Day Private Tour to Khao Sok Highlights: $170
- Khao Sok Lake: Private Day Tour with Boat and Jungle Trek: $179
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
- Khao Sok: Private Longtail Boat Tour at Cheow Lan Lake: $227
- Koh Phangan: Private Land Tour with Snorkeling: $241
- Koh Samui Day and Night Fishing Experience: $48
- Koh Samui Waterfall And Mummified Monk Temple Tour: $241
- Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEilat $27Surat Thani $4.96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Surat Thani, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat 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 Eilat Expensive? and Is Surat Thani Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eilat or Surat Thani?
Eilat has a larger population, and is about 45590 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Eilat 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 Eilat 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 Eilat or Surat Thani in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Surat Thani. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Eilat usually receives less rain than Surat Thani. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 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 Eilat. In the summer, Eilat is a little warmer than Surat Thani. Typically, the summer temperatures in Eilat in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Surat Thani averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEilat 33°C (91°F)Surat Thani 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Surat Thani in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Surat Thani. Eilat 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. Eilat usually gets less rain in October than Surat Thani. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Eilat is generally around the same temperature as Surat Thani. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 26°C (79°F), and Surat Thani fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEilat 26°C (79°F)Surat Thani 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Surat Thani in the Winter?
Both Surat Thani and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Eilat usually receives less rain than Surat Thani. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Eilat is much colder than Surat Thani in the winter. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Surat Thani fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEilat 14°C (57°F)Surat Thani 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Surat Thani in the Spring?
Both Surat Thani and Eilat during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.
Eilat usually gets less rain in April than Surat Thani. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Surat Thani receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Eilat is cooler than Surat Thani. Typically, the spring temperatures in Eilat in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Surat Thani averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEilat 24°C (75°F)Surat Thani 29°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Surat Thani and Eilat
| Eilat | Surat Thani | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.