Which place is cheaper, Mashiko or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Mashiko?
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 Mashiko 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 Mashiko?
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."
Mashiko
Mashiko is a town in Japan famous for its pottery, called "Mashiko yaki." Large noborigama kilns were first brought to the area in 1853 by immigrant potters from a neighboring community in the Ibaraki prefecture. It is also home to the site of Saimyoji temple, one of the oldest temples in Tochigi prefecture, as well as the shrine of the Utsunomiya han.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Mashiko $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Mashiko is $64. 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 Mashiko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Mashiko $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Mashiko $66
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Mashiko
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Mashiko? 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 $24Mashiko $11
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 Mashiko?
Prices for flights to both Mashiko 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 $14Mashiko $23
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 $4.97Mashiko $8.85
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 $4.96Mashiko $5.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Mashiko, we can see that Mashiko 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 Mashiko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mashiko 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 Mashiko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Mashiko?
Mashiko has a larger population, and is about 26050 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Mashiko, 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 Mashiko?
Mashiko 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 Mashiko in the Summer?
Both Mashiko 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 28°C (82°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In July, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Mashiko 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Mashiko in the Autumn?
Both Mashiko 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. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.
Surat Thani is much warmer than Mashiko in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Mashiko fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Mashiko 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 more rain in October than Mashiko. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Mashiko 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Mashiko in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Mashiko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mashiko for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Mashiko. In the winter, Surat Thani is much warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surat Thani in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Mashiko averages at about 3°C (38°F).
In January, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Mashiko 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Mashiko in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Mashiko. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Mashiko in the spring for the small town charm.
In April, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 29°C (83°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Mashiko. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Mashiko 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Mashiko and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Mashiko | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.