Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Suzhou?
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 Suzhou or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Suzhou and Koh Tao 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: Suzhou or Koh Tao?
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Suzhou Prices
China PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySuzhou $127Koh Tao $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Suzhou is $127, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Suzhou and Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSuzhou $39Koh Tao $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSuzhou $78Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Suzhou and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Suzhou or Koh Tao? 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: Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Suzhou $58Koh Tao $9.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Private Day Tour: Gardens and Old Street in Suzhou with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $277
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Suzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $178
- Hangzhou Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town : $144
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $80
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Suzhou to Luzhi Water Town: $64
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.97
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Suzhou or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao and Suzhou 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 daySuzhou $57Koh Tao $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour: $55
- Suzhou Alleyway Food Tour: $63
- Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
- Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.28
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Breakfast$4.71
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.77
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
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Pancake$2.20
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American Breakfast (for Two)$8.79
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Suzhou $9.47Koh Tao $30
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- 1 Day Suzhou Private Tour - Create the Tour You Want: $300
- 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $80
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134
- 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $128
- 4-Hour Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride: $145
- Classic Suzhou Tour with Hotel or Railway Station Pickup: $269
- Essential Suzhou City Sightseeing Private Day Tour: $296
- Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Day Tour with Authentic Lunch: $167
- Full Day Luzhi Water Town Day Tour From Suzhou: $178
- Full-Day Suzhou Gardens Private Tour with Local Guide: $298
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.85
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Snorkel Rental$3.14
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.14
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $24
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
- Snorkelling Trip 5 Island Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nang yuan: $27
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $27
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySuzhou $6.50Koh Tao $8.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$2.04
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Bottle of Wine$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Suzhou and Koh Tao, we can see that Suzhou is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Suzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Suzhou than you might in Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Suzhou Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Suzhou or Koh Tao?
Suzhou has a larger population, and is about 970 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Suzhou and Koh Tao, 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 Suzhou or Koh Tao?
Suzhou has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Tao experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Suzhou or Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Suzhou as well as Koh Tao. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
In the summer, Suzhou is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Suzhou in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Suzhou this time of the year. In the summer, Suzhou often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Suzhou gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Suzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Suzhou usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tao. Suzhou gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySuzhou 28°C (83°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Suzhou or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Suzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Suzhou is generally cooler than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Suzhou average around 19°C (65°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Suzhou usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao during autumn. Suzhou gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In October, Suzhou usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Suzhou gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Koh Tao is October and November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSuzhou 19°C (65°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Suzhou or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao and Suzhou during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
It's quite cold in Suzhou in the winter. Suzhou is much colder than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Suzhou averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Suzhou often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Suzhou gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.
Suzhou usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Suzhou gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySuzhou 4°C (39°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Suzhou or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Suzhou and Koh Tao. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Suzhou is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Suzhou in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. Suzhou usually receives less sunshine than Koh Tao during spring. Suzhou gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.
Suzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Suzhou usually receives more rain than Koh Tao. Suzhou gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSuzhou 15°C (58°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Suzhou
| Suzhou | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.