Which place is cheaper, Noosa Heads or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Noosa Heads?
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 Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads?
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."
Noosa Heads
A town and suburb located on Queensland, Australia's Sunshine Coast, Noosa is best known as a destination of pleasant weather, beautiful beachside scenery, shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure. Some of the top attractions of the area include Noosa National Park and Sunshine Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Noosa Heads $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Noosa Heads is $110. 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 Noosa Heads in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Noosa Heads $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Noosa Heads $116
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Noosa Heads
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Noosa Heads? 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: Noosa Heads Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Noosa Heads $17
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Noosa Heads
Also for Noosa Heads, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Premium Airport/ Cruise Terminal Transfers: $235
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 11 pax: $218
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 21 pax: $208
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa 7 seater + Luggage Trailer: $149
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (8pax): $129
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa up to 5 pax: $122
- Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport up to 5 pax: $122
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (6pax): $116
- Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport up to 3 pax: $103
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa up to 3 pax: $102
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (4pax): $99
- Private Morning Transfer From Noosa to Rainbow Beach: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Noosa Heads?
Prices for flights to both Noosa Heads 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 $14Noosa Heads $33
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Noosa Heads
For Noosa Heads, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Classes on Witta Maleny Sunshine Coast: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Noosa Heads $40
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Noosa Heads
For Noosa Heads, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Surf Lesson$42
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Sea Kayak Tour (for 2)$84
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Sunset Cruise (for 2)$13
Tours and Activities in Noosa Heads
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Noosa Heads.
- 1 Hour Self Guided Water Bike Tour of the Noosa River: $33
- 2 Hours Sunset Experience on Noosa River: $21
- 2-Hour Guided Whale Watching Tour at Noosa: $52
- 2hr Self Guided Water Bike Tour of the Noosa River: $56
- Adrenaline Blast - 1 Hour Jet Ski Experience : $152
- Aquaduck Sunshine Coast - 1hr Mooloolaba Amphibious Tour: $33
- Australia Zoo, Glass House Mountains Tour Combo: $185
- Brisbane Airport and Cruise Terminal to Sunshine Coast 11 pax: $261
- Bushtucker Cruise: $50
- Epic Kayak With Dolphins & Wildlife - 4WD Beach Adventure Noosa: $106
- Everglades Explorer - Noosa Everglades Tour: $99
- Fliteboard eFoil Experience for Two People in Noosaville: $297
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Noosa Heads $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Noosa Heads
Also in Noosa Heads, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Eumundi Market and Distillery Experience Market Days Wednesday & Saturday: $93
- Sunshine Coast Brewery Tour with Lunch: $162
- Hinterland Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour - with 2 course lunch included: $165
- Sunshine Coast & Noosa Scenic Food & Wine Tour Inc. Lunch: $182
- Noosa Hinterland Tour with Gourmet Lunch, Wine Tasting & Everglades Lake: $191
- Noosa Hinterland Drinks Tour- visit 2 distilleries, a winery and a brewery : $195
- Noosa Hinterland Drinks Private Tour with Gin, Beer, Mead & Wine Tastings: $277
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Noosa Heads, we can see that Noosa Heads is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Surat Thani is in Asia and Noosa Heads is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Noosa Heads would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Noosa Heads?
Noosa Heads has a larger population, and is about 10000 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?
Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads in the Summer?
Both Noosa Heads 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 beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.
In the summer, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 20°C (67°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Noosa Heads. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In July, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin January. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Noosa Heads 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?
Both Noosa Heads 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, many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Noosa Headsin April. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Noosa Headsin April. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Noosa Heads 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Noosa Heads in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Noosa Heads. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Surat Thani is much warmer than Noosa Heads in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in July.
In January, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Noosa Headsin July. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Noosa Heads 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Noosa Heads in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Noosa Heads. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Surat Thani is much warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.
Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Noosa Headsin October. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Noosa Heads 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Noosa Heads | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 117 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.