Which place is cheaper, Brisbane or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Brisbane?
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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane?
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."
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Brisbane $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $131. 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 Brisbane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Brisbane $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Brisbane $162
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Brisbane
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Brisbane? 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: Brisbane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Brisbane $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $36
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$9.73
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Go Card$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer between Brisbane/BNE Airport -Gold Coast / OOL Airport(1-11Pax): $297
- NOOSA: Private Transfer to/fro Brisbane Airport (BNE): $252
- Private Transfer to Gold Coast /OOL Airport from Brisbane /BNE Airport (1-7 Pax): $228
- Brisbane Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $206
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane Port: $206
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $185
- Airport Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE to Brisbane in Luxury Car: $145
- Sirromet Winery 3 Course Lunch, Tour, Tastings and Transfers: $132
- Tangalooma Snorkel the Wrecks Day Cruise Transfers: $127
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $123
- Tangalooma Desert Safari Day Cruise Transfers: $121
- Tangalooma Marine Discovery Day Cruise Transfers: $121
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Brisbane?
Prices for flights to both Brisbane 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 $14Brisbane $31
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
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.19
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Cup of Coffee$1.95
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.11
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Ice cream$3.57
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Japanese Meal$13
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Smoothie$4.22
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Japanese Soup$7.46
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Coffee & Muffin$4.54
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Morning Mint Tea$2.27
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.08
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Bread$1.69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vertigo Dinner: Dining on the edge!: $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Brisbane $24
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- 1hr Animal Tour: $43
- 2hr Animal Tour: $73
- 3-Hour Walking Tour in Brisbane: $56
- 45-Minute Behind-the-Tanks Tour on North Stradbroke Island: $32
- 90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour: $35
- Adventure Moreton Island Day Pass: $85
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise Brisbane: $131
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Brisbane: $178
- Bellthorpe Rainforest Private Tour: $132
- Brisbane : Must See Attractions Private Walking Tour: $87
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Audio Tour FREE Ticket: $15
- Brisbane City Highlights Sightseeing Tour: $116
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Brisbane $50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar$9.73
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Sixpack of Beer$9.08
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Guiness Beer$5.51
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Sixpack of Beer$8.43
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Beer Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $24
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $24
- Artisinal Wine Tasting and Local 2-Course Meal: $49
- City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $50
- Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $102
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $124
- From Mount Tamborine Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $131
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $131
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $132
- Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch: $142
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Surat Thani is in Asia and Brisbane is in Pacific, 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Brisbane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Brisbane?
Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 958500 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Brisbane, 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 Brisbane?
Brisbane has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Surat Thani experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Surat Thani or Brisbane in the Summer?
Both Brisbane and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Brisbanein January. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 28°C (82°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In July, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Brisbanein January. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Brisbane 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Brisbane in the Autumn?
Both Brisbane and Surat Thani during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Surat Thani is a little warmer than Brisbane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.
Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Brisbanein April. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Brisbane 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Brisbane in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Brisbane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.
In the winter, Surat Thani is much warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surat Thani in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Brisbane averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
In January, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Brisbanein July. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Brisbane 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Brisbane in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Brisbane. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Brisbanein October. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 29°C (83°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Brisbanein October. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Brisbane 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Brisbane and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Brisbane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (5 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.