Which place is cheaper, Halong 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 Halong 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 Halong 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 Halong 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."
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesHalong Bay Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $68Halong Bay $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $68, while the average daily cost in Halong Bay is $66. 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 Halong Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $26Halong Bay $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $52Halong Bay $54
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Halong Bay
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Halong 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $26Halong Bay $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Donsak pier to Krabi,Phuket,Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $124
- From Koh Phangan: Shared Transfer to Khao Sok/Ao Nang/Phuket: $24
- From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
- Koh Samui: Full Moon Party Boat Transfer to Koh Phangan: $39
- Koh Samui: Official Hawk Adventure Zipline Park, No Transfer: $54
- Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $60
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $22
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $39
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $39
- Samui Airport Transfer: $33
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- Halora Nova Halong Bay 2-Day 1-Night Tour with Hanoi Transfer: $293
- Halong Bay 2D1N 5-Star Cruise–Transfer, Food & Island Adventures: $239
- 2 Day Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi by Expressway Transfer: $199
- Halong Bay 2D1N Best-Selling Cruise with Transfer, Meals, Islands: $195
- Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi: $195
- 2D/1N at 5 STAR CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $185
- Private Transfer: From Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh: $110
- Private Transfer From Ha Long Bay(Tuan Chau harbor) To Ninh Binh: $90
- Amethyst Luxury 5 Star Cruise From Halong Bay with Transfer: $85
- Halong Bay Luxury Day Tour From Hanoi With Limousine Transfer: $80
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi city hotels: $75
- Private Transfer: Cat Bi Airport to/from Ha Long, Tuan Chau: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Halong Bay?
Prices for flights to both Halong 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 $26Halong Bay $26
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$4.47
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: $45
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao: $61
- Koh Phangan: The Best Authentic Thai Cooking Class: $76
- 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 Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- Sunset and Bioluminescent Kayaking Tour in Lan Ha Bay with Dinner: $37
- Authentic Hanoi Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $39
- From Halong Harbor: Luxury Dinner Yacht Cruise, Halong City Views: $66
- Halong Bay Luxury Dinner Cruise - Ambassador: $79
- Cooking class on floating village: $100
- 1-day private Hanoi city tour with fun and night street walking food tour: $101
- Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.43Halong Bay $16
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Koh Samui: Minigolf International Entry Ticket: $12
- Private Taxi Services and Tourism in Koh Samui: $13
- Samui Go-Karting Experience – Sodikart RT10 Outdoor Race: $21
- Koh Tao: Full-Day Snorkeling Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pick-up: $25
- Koh Tao: Half-Day Sunset Snorkeling Tour with Lunch & Pickup: $26
- Koh Samui Temple Tour: Big Buddha Guanyin and Na Muang Waterfall: $30
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $32
- Koh Tao: 5-Bay Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos: $34
- Koh Tao 5 Best Snorkeling Sunset Tour by Big Boat: $35
- Koh Pha Ngan: Options Discover of ATV or Zipline Adventures: $48
- Ko Samui: Private Longtail Boat Tour to Koh Madsum & Koh Tan: $48
- Pig Island & Koh Tan Tour by Speed Boat (Snorkeling & Kayaking): $48
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Ha Long & Ti Top Island on 3* Cruise: $39
- 1 Day Ha Long & Ti Top Island on 5* Cruise: $51
- 2 Day 1 Night Ha Long Bay Cruise with Ocean View Balcony and Meal: $259
- 2 Day 1 Night Halong Bay Experience with Victory Star Cruise: $225
- 2 Day 1 Night Luxury Azura Cruise through Halong & Lan Ha Bay: $192
- 2 Day Aphrodite Cruise Experience Halong Bay from Hanoi: $249
- 2 Day Horror Cruise from Halong city: $214
- 2 Day Navy Peak Trekking, Viethai Village and Ha Long Bay Cruise: $155
- 2 Days 1 Night Aqua Luxury Cruise in Lan Ha Bay: $148
- 2 Days 1 Night Halong Bay Classic Wooden Cruise: $199
- 2 Days 1 Night Lan Ha Bay Adventure: $139
- 2 Days 1 Night Lan Ha Bay Adventure on Cruise from Halong: $245
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.42Halong Bay $12
When comparing the travel costs between Surat Thani and Halong Bay, we can see that Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani Expensive? and Is Halong Bay 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.