Which place is cheaper, Okinawa 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 Okinawa?
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 Okinawa 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 Okinawa?
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."
Okinawa
Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesOkinawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $68Okinawa $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $68, while the average daily cost in Okinawa is $114. 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 Okinawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $26Okinawa $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $52Okinawa $136
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Okinawa
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Okinawa? 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: Okinawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $26Okinawa $8.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $21
- From Koh Phangan: Shared Transfer to Khao Sok/Ao Nang/Phuket: $24
- Samui Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $38
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $38
- Koh Samui: Full Moon Party Boat Transfer to Koh Phangan: $39
- Koh Samui: Official Hawk Adventure Zipline Park, No Transfer: $54
- Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $60
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $78
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Okinawa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:
- Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $215
- Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $215
- Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $195
- Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $195
- Naha Airport（OKA）to/from Okinawa Cities Private Transfer: $144
- Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA) to Naha Hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $135
- Nakagusuku Cruise Port to Naha - Arrival Private Transfer: $135
- Naha hotels to Okinawa Naha Airport (ОКА) - Departure Transfer: $67
- Private Airport Transfer Anywhere in Okinawa — ¥9,800: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Okinawa?
Prices for flights to both Okinawa 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 $27Okinawa $38
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$4.51
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:
- Koh Samui: Island Vista Tour with Dinner and Transfers: $36
- Jungle Adventure with Bamboo Cooking Class in Khao Sok: $49
- Bamboo Fire Cooking Survival Experience from Khao Sok: $51
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao: $61
- Koh Phangan: The Best Authentic Thai Cooking Class: $76
- Koh Phangan: Jungle Walk and Authentic Thai Cooking Class: $105
- Koh Samui: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $117
- Koh Samui: Japanese Cooking Class w/ Chef Daniel at W Samui: $124
- Koh Samui: All-Inclusive Romantic Dinner, Private Beach, and Sunset: $796
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Okinawa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Okinawa.
- Blue Zone Experience in Nakijin: Herbal Smoothie & Ryukyu Cooking: $75
- Naha Airport Food Tour for Arrivals & Departures: $91
- Blue Zone Home Cooking & Local Life in Ogimi: $94
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.47Okinawa $13
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Koh Samui: Minigolf International Entry Ticket: $12
- Private Taxi Services and Tourism in Koh Samui: $13
- Samui Go-Karting Experience – Sodikart RT10 Outdoor Race: $21
- Koh Tao: Full-Day Snorkeling Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pick-up: $25
- Koh Tao: Half-Day Sunset Snorkeling Tour with Lunch & Pickup: $26
- Koh Samui Temple Tour: Big Buddha Guanyin and Na Muang Waterfall: $30
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $31
- Koh Tao: 5-Bay Guided Snorkeling Tour with Photos: $34
- Koh Tao 5 Best Snorkeling Sunset Tour by Big Boat: $34
- Ko Samui: Private Longtail Boat Tour to Koh Madsum & Koh Tan: $47
- Pig Island & Koh Tan Tour by Speed Boat (Snorkeling & Kayaking): $47
- Koh Pha Ngan: Options Discover of ATV or Zipline Adventures: $48
Tours and Activities in Okinawa
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Okinawa are as follows:
- 1Day BusTour Yanbaru National Park & Cape Hedo,Kouri Island: $91
- Autumn in Izena Expert Urchin Ecology Tour: $281
- Beautiful sunset kayak tour in Okinawa: $37
- E-bike tour to local life: Cultural side of Okinawa: $94
- E-bike tour to nature: Hidden gems in Okinawa: $94
- Enjoy Okinawa–Naha Your Way: Private Sightseeing & Photos Tour: $250
- Half Day Naha City Historical Bike Tour: $141
- Half-Day Snorkeling Experience in the Kerama Islands from Naha: $75
- Hidden Beaches of SUP, Snorkel & BBQ Adventure: $144
- Izena Heritage Tour Sho Ens Footsteps and Night Illumination: $144
- JUNGLIA Park Ticket in Okinawa: $85
- Karate History Tour in Okinawa: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.46Okinawa $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Okinawa, we can see that Okinawa 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 Okinawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Okinawa 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 Okinawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Okinawa?
Okinawa has a larger population, and is about 125480 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Okinawa, 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 Okinawa?
Okinawa 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 Okinawa in the Summer?
Both Okinawa and Surat Thani during the summer 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 Okinawa for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Okinawa. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 28°C (82°F), and Okinawa fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Okinawa 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 less rain in July than Okinawa. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Okinawa 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Okinawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Okinawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Okinawa in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Okinawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Okinawa fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Okinawa. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Okinawa 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Okinawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Okinawa. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Okinawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Surat Thani is much warmer than Okinawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surat Thani in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Okinawa averages at about 16°C (61°F).
It's quite rainy in Okinawa. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in January than Okinawa. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Okinawa 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Okinawa in the Spring?
Both Okinawa and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Okinawa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Okinawa. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 29°C (83°F), and Okinawa fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Okinawa. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Okinawa 22°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Okinawa and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Okinawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 116 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.