A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nakhon Ratchasima vs. Surfers Paradise for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise?

Nakhon Ratchasima

If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.

Surfers Paradise

A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Nakhon Ratchasima?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Nakhon Ratchasima Prices
    Thailand Prices
    Surfers Paradise Prices
    Australia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nakhon Ratchasima $58
    Surfers Paradise $124

The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $58, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $124. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Surfers Paradise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nakhon Ratchasima $22
    Surfers Paradise $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nakhon Ratchasima $44
    Surfers Paradise $134
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Surfers Paradise

Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise? 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.

Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima


Hotels in Surfers Paradise


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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nakhon Ratchasima $5.19
    Surfers Paradise $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:


  • Tuk Tuk
    $1.57
  • Bus to Vientiane
    $1.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise

Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise?

Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise and Nakhon Ratchasima 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nakhon Ratchasima $30
    Surfers Paradise $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nakhon Ratchasima $6.68
    Surfers Paradise $24

Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surf Lesson
    $79

Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $63
  • Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Tour from Gold Coast: $80
  • Glow Worms + Day/Night Rainforest & Waterfalls Experience: $133
  • Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
  • Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
  • Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
  • Gold Coast: Springbrook 7 Waterfalls and Natural Bridge Day Tour: $120
  • HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
  • Kangaroos & Koalas in the Wild - Private Nature Experience: $227
  • Kangaroos and Mountain Views Day Tour from Gold Coast: $80
  • Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's & Vineyard Tour: $86
  • Natural Bridge Glow Worm Night Tour from Gold Coast: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nakhon Ratchasima $12
    Surfers Paradise $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nakhon Ratchasima is in Asia and Surfers Paradise 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 Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise than you might in Nakhon Ratchasima.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive? and Is Surfers Paradise Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise has a larger population, and is about 18500 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima and Surfers Paradise, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise?

Surfers Paradise has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nakhon Ratchasima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise and Nakhon Ratchasima are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In the summer, Nakhon Ratchasima is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. In July, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise and Nakhon Ratchasima during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 28°C (82°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets more rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

In January, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Surfers Paradise. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Nakhon Ratchasima. In the spring, Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in April average around 31°C (89°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima Surfers Paradise
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Mar 30°C (86°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 31°C (89°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 152 mm (6 in) 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 30°C (87°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 128 mm (5 in) 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 152 mm (6 in) 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)