Which place is cheaper, Longsheng or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Longsheng?
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 Longsheng 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 Longsheng?
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."
Longsheng
A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.
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 China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Longsheng $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Longsheng is $78. 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 Longsheng in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Longsheng $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Longsheng $40
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Longsheng
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Longsheng? 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 $24Longsheng $41
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: $114
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Longsheng?
Prices for flights to both Longsheng 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 $14Longsheng $35
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Longsheng $8.38
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 Lake: Private Day Tour with Boat and Jungle Trek: $179
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
- Khao Sok: Private Longtail Boat Tour at Cheow Lan Lake: $227
- Koh Phangan: Private Land Tour with Snorkeling: $241
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Longsheng $7.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Longsheng, we can see that Longsheng 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 Longsheng would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Longsheng 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 Longsheng Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani or Longsheng?
Longsheng 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 Longsheng in the Summer?
Both Longsheng 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.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Longsheng. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Longsheng averages at about 30°C (86°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Longsheng. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In July, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Longsheng. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Longsheng 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Longsheng in the Autumn?
Both Longsheng 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.
In October, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Longsheng. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Longsheng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Longsheng. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Longsheng 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Longsheng in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Longsheng. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.
Surat Thani is much warmer than Longsheng in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Longsheng fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In January, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Longsheng. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Longsheng 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Longsheng in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Longsheng. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Longsheng. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Longsheng averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Longsheng. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Longsheng. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Longsheng receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Longsheng 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Longsheng and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Longsheng | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.