A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Surat Thani vs. Chongqing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Surat Thani or Chongqing?

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 Chongqing 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 Chongqing?

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."

Chongqing

Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Chongqing 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.

  • Surat Thani Prices
    Thailand Prices
    Chongqing Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Surat Thani $71
    Chongqing $106

The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $106. 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 Chongqing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surat Thani $27
    Chongqing $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surat Thani $54
    Chongqing $100
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Chongqing

Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Chongqing? 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 Surat Thani


Hotels in Chongqing


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Surat Thani $27
    Chongqing $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani

Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Donsak pier to Krabi,Phuket,Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $127
  • From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
  • Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $62
  • Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
  • Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $22
  • Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $39
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $39
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $39
  • Samui Airport Transfer: $33
  • Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81
  • Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:

  • Wulong 5-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $687
  • Wulong 3-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
  • 5-Day Private Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
  • Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $156
  • Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $134
  • Private One Way Transfer (English Service) between Airport & Hotel & Cruise Port: $99
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) : $60
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Hotel: $39
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $27
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Chongqing?

Prices for flights to both Chongqing 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Surat Thani $28
    Chongqing $43
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:


  • Dinner
    $4.71

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:

  • Koh Samui: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $121

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.

  • Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
  • Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
  • Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
  • Chongqing Food Tour: $93
  • 3 HR Chongqing Food Tour: $110
  • Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
  • Magical Chongqing Art Performance and Food Tour: $297

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surat Thani $5.72
    Chongqing $14

Tours and Activities in Surat Thani

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.

  • Private Taxi Services and Tourism in Koh Samui: $13
  • Samui Go-Karting Experience – Sodikart RT10 Outdoor Race: $22
  • Koh Tao 5 Best Snorkeling Sunset Tour by Big Boat: $32
  • Pig Island Koh Taen Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat from Koh Samui: $47
  • Pig Island & Koh Tan Tour by Speed Boat (Snorkeling & Kayaking): $49
  • Koh Samui Island Hopping Adventure in Coral and Pig Island: $53
  • Khao Sok ATV Jungle Trail Adventure Experience: $57
  • Koh Samui: Feed & Shower with Elephants Experience: $65
  • Pink Dolphin and Pig Island Snorkeling Tour from Koh Samui: $65
  • Dolphin Watching Tan and Pig Island Tour from Koh Samui : $66
  • Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
  • Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $73

Tours and Activities in Chongqing

Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Day Chongqing Megacity Walking Tour: $117
  • 1 Day Private Tour to UNESCO Dazu Rock Carvings from Chongqing: $156
  • 1 Day Private tour to Chongqing Wulong National Geology Park: $168
  • 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
  • 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
  • 3Days Chongqing Cyber City✖ Wulong Karst Cave Adventure: $750
  • 4D3N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Chongqing to Yichang: $628
  • All-In-One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $220
  • ChongQing Guanyinqiao: A 3-Hour Urban Adventure: $80
  • Chongqing 10 Hour Private Customized City Tour: $161
  • Chongqing 1949 Ticket Epic Historical Spectacle: $41
  • Chongqing Adventure: Underwater Museum,816 Cave&Wuling Gorge: $134

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surat Thani $5.71
    Chongqing $7.01


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Chongqing Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Chongqing?

Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 3967030 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Chongqing, 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.

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