Which place is cheaper, Gili Trawangan 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Surat Thani or Gili Trawangan?
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 Gili Trawangan 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 Gili Trawangan?
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."
Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan, known as Gili T, is the most visited of the three Gili Islands, located on the northeast side of Lombok. These islands are known for world-class diving and snorkeling spots. It's not hard to see why, considering that any direction you step off the shoreline, there's a beautiful underwater world to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.
-
Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesGili Trawangan Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $67Gili Trawangan $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $67, while the average daily cost in Gili Trawangan is $37. 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 Gili Trawangan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $26Gili Trawangan $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $52Gili Trawangan $42
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Gili Trawangan
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Gili Trawangan? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $26Gili Trawangan $2.48
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: $76
- Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $88
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $79
- Samui Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $38
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $38
- Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $21
- Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $60
- Koh Samui: Official Hawk Adventure Zipline Park, No Transfer: $54
- Koh Samui: Full Moon Party Boat Transfer to Koh Phangan: $39
- From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.62
- From Koh Phangan: Shared Transfer to Khao Sok/Ao Nang/Phuket: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gili Trawangan
Also for Gili Trawangan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bali Fast Boat Transfer to Sanur: $43
- Fast Boat Transfer to Serangan, Bali: $43
- Fast Boat Transfer Between Bali & Lombok with Hotel Transfer: $40
- Bangsal Harbor Speed Boat Transfer: $38
- Padang Bai: Bali Fast Boat Transfer to Gili Trawangan: $38
- Bali: Gili Islands and Lombok Fast Boat Transfer: $38
- From Gili Islands: Bali Fast Boat Transfer: $35
- From Lombok: Bangsal to Nusa Penida Fast Boat Transfer: $33
- Trawangan: to Padang Bai Luxury Boat Transfer: $33
- Gili Islands: Private Speedboat Transfer Service: $32
- Bali Fast Boat Transfer to Padang Bai: $32
- Boat to Nusa Lembongan with Hotel Transfer: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Gili Trawangan?
Prices for flights to both Gili Trawangan 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
-
Food Meals for one daySurat Thani $26Gili Trawangan $11
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:
-
Dinner$4.44
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: Island Vista Tour with Dinner and Transfers: $36
- Jungle Adventure with Bamboo Cooking Class in Khao Sok: $49
- Bamboo Fire Cooking Survival Experience from Khao Sok: $51
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao: $61
- Koh Phangan: The Best Authentic Thai Cooking Class: $76
- Coastal Village Life Tour w/ Mangrove & Cooking: $91
- Koh Phangan: Jungle Walk and Authentic Thai Cooking Class: $105
- Koh Samui: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $117
- Koh Samui: Japanese Cooking Class w/ Chef Daniel at W Samui: $124
- Koh Samui: All-Inclusive Romantic Dinner, Private Beach, and Sunset: $796
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gili Trawangan
For Gili Trawangan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gili Trawangan Local Home Cooking Class and Authentic Dinner: $28
- Indonesian Food Cooking Class of Gili Air: $39
- Learn to cook Indonesian food at Gili Cooking Classes Trawangan: $39
- Gili Trawangan Sunset Cruise with Snorkeling & Dinner: $120
- Private Sunset Beach Dinner with Wine: $142
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.39Gili Trawangan $3.58
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $28
- Ang Thong National Marine Park Speedboat Tour from Koh Phangan: $71
- Cheow Lan Lake Tour from Khao Sok with Raft House Lunch: $90
- Cheow Lan Lake and Diamond Cave Adventure from Khao Sok: $94
- Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling, and Pig Island Tour from Koh Samui: $70
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $121
- From Ko Pha Ngan: Angthong Marine Park Speedboat Adventure: $78
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
- Khao Sok ATV Jungle Trail Adventure Experience: $61
- Khao Sok Lake Overnight Superior Group Tour with Meals Included: $194
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $125
- Khao Sok: Elephant Day Care, & Bamboo Rafting Day Tour: $74
Tours and Activities in Gili Trawangan
For Gili Trawangan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Island Snorkeling Tour and Turtle Sanctuary with GoPro: $14
- 4 Hour Island Hopping Cruise with Snorkeling and Sunset Views: $236
- 4-in-1 • Gili Islands Half-day Snorkel & Lunch Catamaran Tour: $102
- 4-in-1 • Gili Islands Snorkel & Sunset Half-day Catamaran Cruise: $102
- From Gili Islands Snorkeling Boat Tour: $16
- From Small-Group Sunset Snorkeling Tour: $20
- From Whale Shark & Komodo 4-Day Adventure: $566
- From Lombok: Gili Islands Private Snorkeling & Turtle Tour: $68
- Gili Air 1 Hour Horseback Beach Adventure: $48
- Gili Air Private Snorkeling Tour with Sea Turtles & Free GoPro: $57
- Gili Air Snorkeling Tour with GoPro Footage: $17
- Gili Air: Gili Islands Snorkeling Tour: $87
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.38Gili Trawangan $3.31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Gili Trawangan, we can see that Surat Thani is more expensive. And not only is Gili Trawangan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gili Trawangan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gili Trawangan 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 Surat Thani would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surat Thani than you might in Gili Trawangan.
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 Gili Trawangan Expensive?.
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.