Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani or Yaeyama 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 Yaeyama 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 Yaeyama 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."
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Yaeyama Islands $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Yaeyama Islands is $93. 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 Yaeyama Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Yaeyama Islands $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Yaeyama Islands $108
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Yaeyama Islands
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Yaeyama Islands? 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: Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Yaeyama Islands $19
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 Yaeyama Islands?
Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands 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 $14Yaeyama Islands $28
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 $4.97Yaeyama Islands $8.62
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 $4.96Yaeyama Islands $6.28
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Yaeyama 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 Yaeyama Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yaeyama 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 Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani or Yaeyama Islands?
Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?
Both Yaeyama Islands 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Yaeyama Islands. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Yaeyama Islands. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in January than Yaeyama Islands. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?
Both Yaeyama Islands 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
Surat Thani is a little warmer than Yaeyama Islands in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Yaeyama Islands is May to June.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Yaeyama Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.