A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Surat Thani vs. Similan Islands for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Surat Thani or Similan Islands?

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 Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands?

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."

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Similan Islands, we can see that Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Surat Thani or Similan Islands?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Surat Thani or Similan Islands in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Similan Islands. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. Similan Islands 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 less rain than Similan Islands. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Similan Islands. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Similan Islands averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Surat Thani or Similan Islands in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Similan Islands. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year.

Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in October than Similan Islands. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Similan Islands. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Similan Islands fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Surat Thani or Similan Islands in the Winter?

Both Similan Islands 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. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Similan Islands. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Similan Islands in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Similan Islands fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Surat Thani or Similan Islands in the Spring?

Both Similan Islands 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.

October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Similan Islands. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Similan Islands receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Similan Islands. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Similan Islands averages at about 29°C (83°F).

Typical Weather for Similan Islands and Surat Thani