Which place is cheaper, Katoomba 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 Katoomba?
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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba?
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."
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesKatoomba Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Katoomba $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $148. 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 Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Katoomba $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Katoomba $156
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Katoomba? 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: Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $27Katoomba $50
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $28Katoomba $30
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 $5.72Katoomba $54
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 Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Wildlife and Scenic World: $101
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $100
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $66
- Beauty of the Blue Mountains Private Tour: $853
- Blue Labyrinth PRIVATE Tour: Sydney Blue Mountains by E-Bike : $251
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $109
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $99
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
- Blue Mountains Day Tour With Bushwalks, Waterfalls & Featherdale: $126
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Scenic World and Wildlife Park Entry: $118
- Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour : $221
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.71Katoomba -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Surat Thani is in Asia and Katoomba is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Katoomba?
Katoomba has a larger population, and is about 18590 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?
Both Katoomba 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Katoomba for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Surat Thani is a little warmer than Katoomba in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.
Katoomba 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 Katoombain January. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Katoomba in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Katoomba in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.
Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Katoombain April. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Katoomba in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Katoomba. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Katoomba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Katoombain July. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Surat Thani usually gets more rain in January than Katoombain July. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Katoomba in the Spring?
Both Katoomba 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Surat Thani is much warmer than Katoomba in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Katoombain October. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.