Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie?
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."
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesZhangjiajie Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $70Zhangjiajie $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $70, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $83. 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 Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Zhangjiajie $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Zhangjiajie $64
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Zhangjiajie? 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 $27Zhangjiajie $15
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 Krabi,Phuket,Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $125
- Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $90
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $78
- Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $62
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $39
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $39
- Samui Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $22
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $321
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie to/from Fenghuang: $149
- Entrance Tickets to Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge with Private Car Transfer From Zhangjiajie city hotel (Round Trip ): $127
- Zhangjiajie Forest Park 4 Day Pass and All You Can Ride Transfers: $98
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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 $27Zhangjiajie $38
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$4.60
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:
- Jungle Adventure with Bamboo Cooking Class in Khao Sok: $50
- Bamboo Fire Cooking Survival Experience from Khao Sok: $52
- Koh Samui: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $121
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Zhangjiajie Night Scenic Tour+Dinner Feast or Relaxing Massage: $98
- Full-Day Private Discovery Tour to Tianmen Mountain National Park with Dinner: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.59Zhangjiajie $24
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $32
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $78
- Cheow Lan Lake and Diamond Cave Adventure from Khao Sok: $97
- Cheow Lan Lake and Raft House Day Tour from Khao Sok: $92
- Dolphin Watching Tan and Pig Island Tour from Koh Samui: $72
- From Ko Pha Ngan: Angthong Marine Park Speedboat Adventure: $81
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
- Half-Day Tour: Koh Rap, Pig Island & Koh Tan By Join Speed Boat: $56
- Khao Sok ATV Jungle Trail Adventure Experience: $63
- Ko Pha Ngan: Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan Snorkeling Adventure: $81
- Ko Samui: Private Longtail Boat Tour to Koh Madsum & Koh Tan: $48
- Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $73
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $270
- 1 day tour Avatar Mountain and Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge: $215
- 1-2 Days All-inclusive Tour: Mt. Avatar, Glass Bridge, Mt Tianmen: $109
- 1-2 Days Group & Private Tours: Mt. Avatar+ Tianmen+ Glass Bridge: $109
- 1-2 Days Group Tour to Avatar & Tianmen Mountain & Glass Bridge: $59
- 1-Day Fenghuang Tour from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) by Round-way Bullet Train: $240
- 1-Day Private Tour to Avatar Mountain & 72 Wonder Tower: $104
- 1-Day Private Tour to Glass Bridge & Grand Canyon & Baofeng Lake: $113
- 1-Day Private Tour to Mt.Tianmen & Furong Town Night Illumination: $156
- 1-Day Private Tour to Tianmen Mountain & Glass Walk & Night Light: $146
- 1-Day Private Tour to ZJJ National Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $95
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Highlights: $124
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.58Zhangjiajie $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie has a larger population, and is about 86080 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Zhangjiajie, 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 Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie in the Summer?
Both Zhangjiajie 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.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Zhangjiajie. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 29°C (85°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In July, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Zhangjiajie in the Autumn?
Both Zhangjiajie 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 October, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Zhangjiajie. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Zhangjiajie. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Zhangjiajie in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Zhangjiajie. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.
Surat Thani is much warmer than Zhangjiajie in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Zhangjiajie fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In January, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Zhangjiajie. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Zhangjiajie in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Zhangjiajie. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Surat Thani is much warmer than Zhangjiajie. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Zhangjiajie averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Zhangjiajie. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zhangjiajie receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Zhangjiajie and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Zhangjiajie | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.