Which place is cheaper, Sado or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Sado?
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 Sado 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 Sado?
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."
Sado
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Sado $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Sado is $62. 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 Sado in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Sado $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Sado $60
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Sado
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Sado? 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: Sado Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Sado $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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 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
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado 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 $14Sado $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 $4.97Sado $8.43
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Sado $66
When comparing the travel costs between Surat Thani and Sado, we can see that Sado is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Sado Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani or Sado?
Sado 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 Sado in the Summer?
Both Sado 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. Also, many visitors come to Sado in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Surat Thani is a little warmer than Sado in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
Sado 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 Sado. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Sado 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Sado in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Sado. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Also, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Surat Thani is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sado averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Sado 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 Sado. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Sado 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Sado in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Sado. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sado because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Sado can be very cold. In January, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
It's quite rainy in Sado. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Sado 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Sado in the Spring?
Both Sado 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.
Surat Thani is much warmer than Sado in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Sado. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Sado 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sado and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Sado | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 162 mm (6.4 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.