Which place is cheaper, Phuket or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Phuket?
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 Phuket 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 Phuket?
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."
Phuket
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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 $53Phuket $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Phuket is $105. 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 Phuket in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Phuket $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Phuket $112
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Phuket
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Phuket? 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: Phuket Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Phuket $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $115
- From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.16
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $12
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $14
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- 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
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.18
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- From Krabi Transfer with Phi Phi Longtail Boat Tour: $362
- From Krabi: Phuket Transfer with Phi Phi Longtail Boat Tour: $362
- Phuket Jet Ski Tour to 7 Islands with Pickup and Transfer: $213
- Phuket Airport to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $150
- ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer : $139
- Private Transfer from Phuket to Krabi: $137
- Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platforms with Transfer RoundTrips: $136
- Morning Blue Sky Spa Package with Private Transfer: $125
- Private Airport Arrival Transfer : Airport to Hotel in Krabi: $117
- Private Transfer from Phuket to Krabi with 2h of Sightseeing: $113
- Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platforms With Lunch & Transfer RoundTrips: $108
- Phuket Airport to Krabi Private Transfer by Minivan: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Phuket?
Prices for flights to both Phuket 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 $14Phuket $22
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: $72
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.88
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Thai Noodles$2.45
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Bananas$0.68
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Pizza (for Two)$8.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
- Thai Cooking Class 2 Hrs ( 4 Dishes Menu): $47
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
- Flavours of the South Food Tour: $57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Phuket $42
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Pick up and drop off tourists around Koh Samui: $14
- The one and only Zipline Experience of Lamai Viewpoint: $38
- Koh Samui Day and Night Fishing Experience: $48
- Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
- Koh Samui: Unique Iocal Tour & Elephant Sanctuary with lunch: $65
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $69
- X Quad Novice Waterfall ATV Tour (1 Driver): $76
- Koh Samui: Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary Half-Day Tour: $81
- Samui Dolphins Tour by Catamaran Yacht: $87
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $105
- Samui X Quad ATV Tour (1 Driver) with lunch: $122
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$25
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$68
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Thai Oil Massage$17
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Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speed Boat: $43
- Activities In & Around Full Day Customizable Tour: $90
- Khai Island Half Day Tour by Speedboat from Phuket (SHA Plus): $61
- Whitewater Rafting & ATV Adventure Tour from Phuket including Lunch: $119
- Zipline Adventure 32 Platforms + Roller + Skywalk: $108
- 2 Hours Phuket Old Town Street Food Walking Tour: $45
- 2-Hour ATV Tour from Phuket: $77
- 2x Snorkelling Phi Phi, Maiton, Maya Bay, khai islands tour: $58
- 4 Waters Eco Adventure: $96
- 4 Waters Eco Adventure Full Day Tour: $103
- 4 Waters Eco Adventure from Phuket Including Lunch: $145
- 4-Hours Phuket Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Tour with Lunch: $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Phuket $6.35
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$5.46
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Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $78
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $97
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Phuket, we can see that Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Phuket?
Phuket has a larger population, and is about 89070 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Phuket, 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 Phuket?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Surat Thani or Phuket in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Phuket. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Phuket. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in July than Phuket. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Phuket. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Phuket averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Phuket 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Phuket in the Autumn?
Both Phuket and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In October, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Phuket. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Phuket. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Phuket fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Phuket 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Phuket in the Winter?
Both Phuket and Surat Thani during the winter 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 Phuket year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Phuket. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in January than Phuket. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Phuket in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Phuket fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Phuket 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Phuket in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Phuket. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Phuket. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Phuket. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Phuket averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Phuket 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Phuket and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Phuket | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.