Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao 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 Tao?
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 Tao 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 Tao?
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 Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
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 Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Koh Tao? 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 Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Koh Tao $8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $115
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
- 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
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $12
- From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 Tao $9.21
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: $72
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Koh Tao $26
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- 5 island tour: $459
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $69
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $105
- From Phuket: Cheow Lan Lake 2Day Guided Tour with Activities: $203
- From Phuket: Full-Day Private Tour to Khao Sok Highlights: $170
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
- Khao Sok: Private Longtail Boat Tour at Cheow Lan Lake: $214
- Koh Phangan: Private Land Tour with Snorkeling: $241
- Koh Phangan: Snorkeling and Beach Hopping Boat Tour: $217
- Koh Samui Day and Night Fishing Experience: $48
- Koh Samui Waterfall And Mummified Monk Temple Tour: $241
- Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $278
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $125
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Koh Tao $7.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Koh Tao, we can see that Surat Thani is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Tao.
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 Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Koh Tao?
Koh Tao has a larger population, and is about 1380 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Koh Tao, 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 Tao?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In July, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Surat Thani during the autumn 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 Tao year-round.
October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao. Koh Tao 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 less rain in October than Koh Tao. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. In January, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Surat Thani is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Koh Tao. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Koh Tao. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 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.