Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Koh Pha Ngan?
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 Pha Ngan 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 Pha Ngan?
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 Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
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 $53Koh Pha Ngan $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $45. 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 Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Koh Pha Ngan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Koh Pha Ngan $46
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Koh Pha Ngan $13
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$8.18
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Ferry Ride$14
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Gas for Scooter$3.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $14Koh Pha Ngan $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 Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.09
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$11
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.09
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Ice Cream$0.55
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Juice$1.64
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3 Spring Rolls$0.82
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2 Pancakes$1.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Koh Pha Ngan $17
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Koh Pha Ngan $9.89
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$7.09
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Surat Thani is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.
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 Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Koh Pha Ngan?
Koh Pha Ngan has a larger population, and is about 11850 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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 Pha Ngan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Koh Pha Ngan. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Surat Thani is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
Both Koh Pha Ngan 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 Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan is October and November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In October, Surat Thani usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Pha Ngan. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
Both Koh Pha Ngan 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 Pha Ngan year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan. Surat Thani usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Koh Pha Ngan. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Surat Thani usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Pha Ngan. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Surat Thani is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.