Which place is cheaper, Koh Lipe or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Surat Thani or Koh Lipe?
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 Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe?
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."
Koh Lipe
Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Koh Lipe $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Koh Lipe is $85. 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 Koh Lipe in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Koh Lipe $44
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Koh Lipe $88
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Koh Lipe
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Koh Lipe? 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: Koh Lipe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Koh Lipe $18
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: $115
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:
- Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Koh Lipe?
Prices for flights to both Koh Lipe 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
-
Food Meals for one daySurat Thani $14Koh Lipe $26
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:
-
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Koh Lipe $23
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 Koh Lipe
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Tour Sunset Cruise Around Lipe: $15
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $111
- Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $21
- Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $25
- Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $24
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Koh Lipe $8.18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Koh Lipe, we can see that Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe 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 Koh Lipe Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani or Koh Lipe?
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 Koh Lipe in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Koh Lipe. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in July than Koh Lipe. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Lipe in the Autumn?
Both Koh Lipe 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Lipe is December to April. The rainy season in Koh Lipe is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In October, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Koh Lipe. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Lipe averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Lipe in the Winter?
Both Koh Lipe 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round.
Surat Thani usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Koh Lipe. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Koh Lipe. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Koh Lipe 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Lipe in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Koh Lipe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Koh Lipe. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Koh Lipe receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Koh Lipe in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Koh Lipe fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Koh Lipe 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Lipe and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Koh Lipe | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.