Which place is cheaper, Kunming 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 Kunming?
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 Kunming 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 Kunming?
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."
Kunming
Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesKunming Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $70Kunming $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $70, while the average daily cost in Kunming 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 Kunming in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Kunming $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Kunming $70
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Kunming
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Kunming? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $27Kunming $14
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 Krabi,Phuket,Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $125
- Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $90
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $78
- Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $62
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $39
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $39
- Samui Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $22
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:
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Taxi Ride$1.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming
Also for Kunming, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kunming hotel to Guizhou Xingyi hotel: $240
- Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90
- Kunming Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Kunming Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
- Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pickup: $83
- Kunming Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
- [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! : $36
- Kunming Airport Private Transfer with Meet and Greet Service: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Kunming?
Prices for flights to both Kunming 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 $27Kunming $41
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$4.60
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:
- Jungle Adventure with Bamboo Cooking Class in Khao Sok: $50
- Bamboo Fire Cooking Survival Experience from Khao Sok: $52
- Koh Samui: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $121
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming
For Kunming, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Discovery more Kunming evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Private Kunming Night Tour with Dinner: $88
- Half Day Private Tour of Kunming Flower Market and Flower Pastry Cooking Class: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.59Kunming $19
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $32
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $78
- Cheow Lan Lake and Diamond Cave Adventure from Khao Sok: $97
- Cheow Lan Lake and Raft House Day Tour from Khao Sok: $92
- Dolphin Watching Tan and Pig Island Tour from Koh Samui: $72
- From Ko Pha Ngan: Angthong Marine Park Speedboat Adventure: $81
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
- Half-Day Tour: Koh Rap, Pig Island & Koh Tan By Join Speed Boat: $56
- Khao Sok ATV Jungle Trail Adventure Experience: $63
- Ko Pha Ngan: Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan Snorkeling Adventure: $81
- Ko Samui: Private Longtail Boat Tour to Koh Madsum & Koh Tan: $48
- Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $73
Tours and Activities in Kunming
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.
- 1 Day Stone Forest & Jiuxiang Cave Tour: $290
- 1-Day Dongchuan Red Land Photography Private Tour from Kunming: $269
- 1-Day Kunming Civil Culture Tour: $112
- 1-Day Kunming Culture Tour: $156
- 1-Day Kunming tour with the Green Lake,Bird & Flower market and Yuantong Temple: $201
- 1-Day Private Tour:Stone Forest and Western Hill(Dragon Gate) from Kunming: $245
- 1-Day Self-Guided Stone Forest Geological Park Tour from Kunming: $106
- 1-Day Stone Forest Geological Park Private Tour with the Lunch from Kunming: $201
- All inclusive Dongchuan red earth tour start from Kunming: $150
- Citywalk - 1 Day History Private Tour in Kunming: $120
- Dongchuan Red Land Private Tour: $123
- Essences of Kunming Downtown Day Tour: $189
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.58Kunming $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Kunming, we can see that Kunming 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 Kunming would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kunming 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 Kunming Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Kunming?
Kunming has a larger population, and is about 1023670 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Kunming, 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.
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.