Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Byron Bay?
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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay?
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."
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesByron Bay Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Byron Bay $175
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $175. 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 Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Byron Bay $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Byron Bay $134
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Byron Bay
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Byron Bay? 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: Byron Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $27Byron Bay $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $22
- Samui Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $39
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $39
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $39
- Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $62
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $78
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81
- Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $90
- Donsak pier to Krabi,Phuket,Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay 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 $28Byron Bay $83
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$4.71
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:
- Koh Samui: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $121
Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.
- Bangalow Native Bush Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.72Byron Bay $36
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Private Taxi Services and Tourism in Koh Samui: $13
- Samui Go-Karting Experience – Sodikart RT10 Outdoor Race: $22
- Koh Tao 5 Best Snorkeling Sunset Tour by Big Boat: $32
- Pig Island Koh Taen Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat from Koh Samui: $47
- Pig Island & Koh Tan Tour by Speed Boat (Snorkeling & Kayaking): $49
- Koh Samui Island Hopping Adventure in Coral and Pig Island: $53
- Khao Sok ATV Jungle Trail Adventure Experience: $57
- Koh Samui: Feed & Shower with Elephants Experience: $65
- Pink Dolphin and Pig Island Snorkeling Tour from Koh Samui: $65
- Dolphin Watching Tan and Pig Island Tour from Koh Samui : $66
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
- Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $73
Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$124
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Surf Lesson$43
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- Tandem Skydive Experience : $280
- Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $147
- Brisbane: Byron Bay Day Tour - Lighthouse Sunset & The Farm: $125
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Byron Bay Dolphin Tour - Ocean Safari: $64
- Byron Bay Half-Day Tour: $65
- Byron Bay Lighthouse Aboriginal Tour: $66
- Byron Bay Lighthouse Aboriginal Tour: $65
- Byron Bay Private Bike Tour : $50
- Byron Bay Wild Koala Tour: $85
- Byron Bay and Burleigh Heads Private Tour from Brisbane: $959
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.71Byron Bay $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $99
- Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $104
- Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $136
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $137
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Byron Bay?
Byron Bay has a larger population, and is about 6760 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Byron Bay, 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 Byron Bay?
Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay in the Summer?
Both Byron Bay and Surat Thani during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.
In the summer, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.
Byron Bay 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 around the same amount of rain in July as Byron Bayin January. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Byron Bay in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Byron Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Byron Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
Byron Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin April. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Byron Bay in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Byron Bay. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Surat Thani is much warmer than Byron Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in July.
Surat Thani usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Byron Bayin July. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Byron Bay in the Spring?
Both Byron Bay and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 19°C (67°F)in October.
In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin October. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Byron Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 32 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.