A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Tarutao vs. Suzhou for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Suzhou?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Suzhou. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Koh Tarutao or Suzhou?

Koh Tarutao

While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.

Suzhou

Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.


Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Koh Tarutao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $98, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $101. 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 Koh Tarutao and Suzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Tarutao $50
    Suzhou $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Tarutao $100
    Suzhou $76
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Suzhou

Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao or Suzhou? 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 Koh Tarutao


Hotels in Suzhou


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Tarutao $34
    Suzhou $57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:

  • Suzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $178
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $280
  • Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
  • Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer between Tongli Water Town and Suzhou City : $58
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Suzhou to Luzhi Water Town: $64

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Suzhou?

Prices for flights to both Suzhou and Koh Tarutao 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
    Koh Tarutao $28
    Suzhou $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou

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

  • Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
  • Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
  • Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Tarutao $14
    Suzhou $9.32

Tours and Activities in Suzhou

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:

  • 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134
  • 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
  • 4-Hour Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride: $145
  • All Inclusive Suzhou Highlight Tour with Boat Ride and Lunch: $179
  • Essential Suzhou City Sightseeing Private Day Tour: $248
  • Flexible Shanghai Private Day Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train: $208
  • Full Day Luzhi Water Town Day Tour From Suzhou: $178
  • Full- Day Private Suzhou Tour Guide Service: $150
  • Full-day Private Tour of Top Suzhou Gardens: $211

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Tarutao $7.01
    Suzhou $6.40


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Tarutao and Suzhou, we can see that Suzhou is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Tarutao Expensive? and Is Suzhou Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Suzhou?

Suzhou has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tarutao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Suzhou in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Suzhou. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Suzhou. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Tarutao in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Suzhou averages at about 28°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Suzhou. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in July than Suzhou. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F) 
    Suzhou 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Suzhou in the Autumn?

Both Suzhou and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year.

In October, Koh Tarutao is generally a little warmer than Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F) 
    Suzhou 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Suzhou in the Winter?

Both Suzhou and Koh Tarutao during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Suzhou. Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Suzhou in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Suzhou fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in January than Suzhou. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (80°F) 
    Suzhou 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Suzhou in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Suzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round.

In the spring, Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Suzhou. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Tarutao in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Suzhou averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Suzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Tarutao 29°C (85°F) 
    Suzhou 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Suzhou and Koh Tarutao

Koh Tarutao Suzhou
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 50 mm (2 in) 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 51 mm (2 in) 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 224 mm (8.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 262 mm (10.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 355 mm (14 in) 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 281 mm (11.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in) 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)