Which place is cheaper, Sendai 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 Sendai?
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 Sendai 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 Sendai?
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."
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesSendai Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Sendai $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $133. 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 Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Sendai $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Sendai $122
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Sendai? 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: Sendai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $27Sendai $18
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: $78
- Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $90
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81
- Samui Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $39
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $39
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $39
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $22
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $62
- From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187
- Odawara to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) -Departure Private Transfer: $103
- Sendai City: Private transfer to/from Sendai Airport: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai 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 $28Sendai $58
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$4.71
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: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $121
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai
For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Local Food Tour in Shiogama, Japan Top Tuna and Sushi Town: $135
- Michinoku Coastal Trail Sake Tasting with Dinner: $143
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.72Sendai $19
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- A Walking Tour of Surat Thani's Most Beautiful and Historic Sites: $174
- Adventure trip in koh Phangan: $127
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $80
- Dolphin Watching Tan and Pig Island Tour from Koh Samui : $66
- From Ko Pha Ngan: Angthong Marine Park Speedboat Adventure: $81
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
- Khao Sok ATV Jungle Trail Adventure Experience: $57
- Ko Pha Ngan: Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan Snorkeling Adventure: $81
- Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $73
- Koh Samui Island Hopping Adventure in Coral and Pig Island: $53
- Koh Samui: Feed & Shower with Elephants Experience: $65
- Koh Samui: Surron Electric Dirt Bike Jungle Adventure 2H: $93
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Afternoon Cycling Tour in Naruko: $151
- Catch and Dine A Gourmet Fishing Experience in Miyagi: $24
- Sendai and Matsushima Private Tour with Licensed Guide: $101
- Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.71Sendai $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Sendai?
Sendai has a larger population, and is about 1037560 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Sendai, 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 Sendai?
Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Sendai 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 around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Sendai 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Sendai in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Sendai. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.
In October, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Sendai. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Sendai 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Sendai in the Winter?
Both Sendai 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. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Sendai. Surat Thani is much warmer than Sendai in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
In January, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Sendai. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Sendai 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Sendai in the Spring?
Both Sendai 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sendai in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Surat Thani is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Sendai averages at about 10°C (51°F).
Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Sendai 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sendai and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Sendai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.