Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays?
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."
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Whitsundays? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
- 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
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $12
- From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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 $14Whitsundays $30
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- 5 island tour: $459
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $69
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $105
- From Phuket: Cheow Lan Lake 2Day Guided Tour with Activities: $203
- From Phuket: Full-Day Private Tour to Khao Sok Highlights: $170
- Khao Sok Lake: Private Day Tour with Boat and Jungle Trek: $179
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
- Khao Sok: Private Longtail Boat Tour at Cheow Lan Lake: $227
- Koh Phangan: Private Land Tour with Snorkeling: $241
- Koh Samui Day and Night Fishing Experience: $48
- Koh Samui Waterfall And Mummified Monk Temple Tour: $241
- Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,941
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $195
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $91
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Surat Thani is in Asia and Whitsundays is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani or Whitsundays?
Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In July, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Surat Thani during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.
Whitsundays 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 more rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Whitsundays. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.
In January, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Whitsundaysin July. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
In January, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin July. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Whitsundays. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Surat Thani is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
Surat Thani usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.