Which place is cheaper, Hat Yai or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Hat Yai?
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 Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai?
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."
Hat Yai
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
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 $53Hat Yai $16
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Hat Yai is $16. 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 Hat Yai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Hat Yai $5.11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Hat Yai $10
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Hat Yai
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Hat Yai? 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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Hat Yai $0.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.16
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $12
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $14
- 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
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pak Bara Pier: $73
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai City to Pak Bara Pier: $73
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $69
- private van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pabara Pier: $68
- Transfer from Hatyai Airport to Koh Lipe: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Hat Yai?
Prices for flights to both Hat Yai 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 $14Hat Yai $10
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 Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
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Roti Snack$0.55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Hat Yai -
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Pick up and drop off tourists around Koh Samui: $14
- The one and only Zipline Experience of Lamai Viewpoint: $38
- Koh Samui Day and Night Fishing Experience: $48
- Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
- Koh Samui: Unique Iocal Tour & Elephant Sanctuary with lunch: $65
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $69
- X Quad Novice Waterfall ATV Tour (1 Driver): $76
- Koh Samui: Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary Half-Day Tour: $81
- Samui Dolphins Tour by Catamaran Yacht: $87
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $105
- Samui X Quad ATV Tour (1 Driver) with lunch: $122
Tours and Activities in Hat Yai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:
- One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $30
- One Way Van and Speedboat Ticket Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Hat Yai $2.52
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
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Beer$1.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Hat Yai, we can see that Surat Thani is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai.
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 Hat Yai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Hat Yai?
Hat Yai has a larger population, and is about 191700 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Hat Yai, 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 Hat Yai?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hat Yai in the Summer?
Both Hat Yai 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round.
Hat Yai 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 July than Hat Yai. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Hat Yai. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 28°C (82°F), and Hat Yai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Hat Yai 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hat Yai in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Hat Yai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai. Hat Yai 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 less rain than Hat Yai. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Hat Yai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Hat Yai fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Hat Yai 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hat Yai in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Hat Yai. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year.
Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in January than Hat Yai. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Hat Yai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surat Thani in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Hat Yai averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Hat Yai 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hat Yai in the Spring?
Both Hat Yai 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. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hat Yai is January to April. The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Hat Yai. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Hat Yai. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 29°C (83°F), and Hat Yai fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Hat Yai 30°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Hat Yai and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Hat Yai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 588 mm (23.1 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 404 mm (15.9 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.