Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Nakhon Ratchasima?
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 Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima?
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."
Nakhon Ratchasima
If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.
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 $53Nakhon Ratchasima $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Nakhon Ratchasima $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Nakhon Ratchasima $38
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Nakhon Ratchasima? 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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $36
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- 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
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima 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 $14Nakhon Ratchasima $15
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 $4.97Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81
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 $4.96Nakhon Ratchasima $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Surat Thani is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima.
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 Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Surat Thani has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima?
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 Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Nakhon Ratchasima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 30°C (86°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Nakhon Ratchasima. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Nakhon Ratchasima. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?
Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?
Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Surat Thani during the spring 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 Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.
Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Nakhon Ratchasima. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Nakhon Ratchasima can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 31°C (89°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)
Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Nakhon Ratchasima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 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.