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

Should you visit Surat Thani or Coffs Harbour?

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 Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour?

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."

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today are families that are carrying on a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Coffs Harbour 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Coffs Harbour is $174. 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 Coffs Harbour in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surat Thani $27
    Coffs Harbour $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surat Thani $54
    Coffs Harbour $126
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Coffs Harbour

Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Coffs Harbour? 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 Coffs Harbour


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: Coffs Harbour Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Surat Thani $27
    Coffs Harbour $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani

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

  • Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $78
  • Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $90
  • Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81
  • Samui Airport Transfer: $33
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $39
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $39
  • Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $39
  • Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
  • Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $22
  • Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
  • Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $62
  • From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10

Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Coffs Harbour?

Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour 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
    Coffs Harbour $89
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surat Thani $5.72
    Coffs Harbour $42

Tours and Activities in Surat Thani

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

  • A Walking Tour of Surat Thani's Most Beautiful and Historic Sites: $174
  • Adventure trip in koh Phangan: $127
  • Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $79
  • Dolphin Watching Tan and Pig Island Tour from Koh Samui : $65
  • From Ko Pha Ngan: Angthong Marine Park Speedboat Adventure: $81
  • Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
  • Khao Sok ATV Jungle Trail Adventure Experience: $57
  • Ko Pha Ngan: Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan Snorkeling Adventure: $81
  • Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $73
  • Koh Samui Island Hopping Adventure in Coral and Pig Island: $53
  • Koh Samui: Feed & Shower with Elephants Experience: $65
  • Koh Samui: Surron Electric Dirt Bike Jungle Adventure 2H: $93

Typical Entertainment Prices in Coffs Harbour

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


  • Surfing Museum (for 2)
    $7.20

Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour

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

  • Treetops Adventure Tree Ropes Course: $46
  • Daytime Kayak Eco Tour of New South Wales: $40
  • Sunset Kayak Eco Tour with Marine Scientist: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surat Thani $5.71
    Coffs Harbour $8.41


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Surat Thani is in Asia and Coffs Harbour 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 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 Coffs Harbour would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour has a larger population, and is about 62980 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Coffs Harbour. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.

Surat Thani is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin January. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Surat Thani 28°C (82°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Surat Thani or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Coffs Harbour. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 20°C (67°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Coffs Harbourin April. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Surat Thani 27°C (81°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Surat Thani or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

Both Coffs Harbour and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Coffs Harbourin July. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In January, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin July. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Surat Thani 25°C (77°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Surat Thani or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

Both Coffs Harbour and Surat Thani during the spring 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, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Surat Thani is much warmer than Coffs Harbour in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Coffs Harbourin October. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Surat Thani 29°C (83°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Surat Thani

Surat Thani Coffs Harbour
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 51 mm (2 in) 23°C (74°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 195 mm (7.7 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 241 mm (9.5 in)
Apr 29°C (83°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 177 mm (7 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 240 mm (9.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 335 mm (13.2 in) 20°C (69°F) 136 mm (5.4 in)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)