Which place is cheaper, Ise or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Ise?
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 Ise 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 Ise?
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."
Ise
A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Ise $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Ise is $89. 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 Ise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Ise $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Ise $84
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Ise
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Ise? 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: Ise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Ise $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
- 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 Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Ise?
Prices for flights to both Ise 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 $14Ise $24
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Ise $5.83
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 Ise
Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ise Grand Shrine Private Guided Tour: $88
- Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $39
- Shirataki Takigyo Waterfall Meditation Experience in Toba: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Ise $4.52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Ise, we can see that Ise 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 Ise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ise 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 Ise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Ise?
Ise has a larger population, and is about 97310 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Ise, 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 Ise?
Ise 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 Ise in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Ise. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ise this time of year.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Ise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Ise averages at about 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Ise. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in July than Ise. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Ise 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Ise in the Autumn?
Both Ise and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Ise for the shopping scene.
In October, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Ise fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In October, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Ise. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Ise 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Ise in the Winter?
Both Ise and Surat Thani during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Ise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ise can get quite cold in the winter. Surat Thani is much warmer than Ise in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Ise fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
Surat Thani usually gets more rain in January than Ise. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Ise 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Ise in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Ise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Also, most visitors come to Ise for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Surat Thani is much warmer than Ise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Ise averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Ise receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Ise. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Ise 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Ise and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Ise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.