Which place is cheaper, Hualien 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 Hualien?
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 Hualien 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 Hualien?
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."
Hualien
If you're looking for hustle and bustle, head to Taipei. If you're looking for fresh air and the prettiest town by the sea, Hualien is the place to be. With many national parks to explore, cliffs and mountains to climb and beaches to get some rest and relaxation, there's plenty to do, especially for nature lovers and those who crave peace and quiet, away from the bigger cities in Taiwan.
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 Taipei, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesHualien Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Hualien $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Hualien is $136. 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 Hualien in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Hualien $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Hualien $120
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Hualien
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Hualien? 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 $27Hualien $29
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $280
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Hualien?
Prices for flights to both Hualien 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 $28Hualien $56
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.72Hualien $21
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 : $65
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
- Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $73
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- 2025 Taroko Gorge Tour Excellent Cultural Stories , 8 Hours: $130
- Exclusive Private Taroko Gorge Day Tour with Local English Guide: $121
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- Liyu Lake, Sugar Factory, and Ruisui Ranch Tour: $320
- Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
- Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach Tour from Hualien: $159
- Taroko, Qingshui Cliff, Xincheng Old Street & Qixingtan Day Tour: $80
- Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.71Hualien $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Hualien, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Hualien would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hualien 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 Hualien Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Hualien?
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 350470 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Hualien, 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.
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.