Which place is cheaper, Ao Nang or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Ao Nang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Surat Thani and Ao Nang 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: Surat Thani or Ao Nang?
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."
Ao Nang
If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Ao Nang $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Ao Nang is $107. 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 Surat Thani and Ao Nang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Ao Nang $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Ao Nang $104
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Ao Nang
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Ao Nang? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Ao Nang $56
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Krabi to Phuket: $105
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $41
- Krabi:Speedboat Transfer to Phi Phi Islands: $41
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Phuket: $31
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $23
- Krabi Airport Private One-Way SUV Transfer: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Statation: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $22
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $18
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Station, Krabi: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Ao Nang?
Prices for flights to both Ao Nang and Surat Thani 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 daySurat Thani $14Ao Nang $24
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Krabi: Ya's Cookery Late Afternoon Thai Cooking Class: $39
- Krabi : Authentic Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour: $40
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $46
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $50
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset by Luxury Vintage Boat With BBQ Dinner: $127
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Ao Nang $11
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
Tours and Activities in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ATV adventure 1hour drive: $43
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $27
- ATV adventure and achery (1้hour ): $35
- ATV adventure and shooting range: $57
- Kayak Tour in Krabi Mangrove Forest with Lunch: $27
- From Hong Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $32
- From Phi Phi Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $46
- From Private Gondola Cruise with Lunch and Picnic: $59
- From Krabi: James Bond Island One-Day Tour by Speedboat: $123
- Half-Day Krabi Four Islands Tour with Amazing long-tail Boat: $88
- James Bond Island: Sightseeing Tour by Longtail Boat & Kayak: $42
- Kayaking klongroot and atv adventure: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Ao Nang $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Ao Nang, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang 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 Surat Thani Expensive? and Is Ao Nang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Ao Nang?
Ao Nang has a larger population, and is about 8000 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Ao Nang, 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 Surat Thani or Ao Nang?
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 Surat Thani or Ao Nang in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Ao Nang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Ao Nang. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 28°C (82°F), and Ao Nang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Ao Nang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Ao Nang in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Ao Nang. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in October than Ao Nang. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Ao Nang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ao Nang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Ao Nang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Ao Nang in the Winter?
Both Ao Nang and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. In January, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Ao Nang. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surat Thani in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Ao Nang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Ao Nang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Ao Nang in the Spring?
Both Ao Nang and Surat Thani during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.
Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Ao Nang. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 29°C (83°F), and Ao Nang fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Ao Nang 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Ao Nang and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Ao Nang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.