Which place is cheaper, Hefei 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 Hefei?
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 Hefei 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 Hefei?
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."
Hefei
While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesHefei Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Hefei $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Hefei is $78. 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 Hefei in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Hefei $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Hefei $58
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Hefei
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Hefei? 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 $27Hefei $17
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Hefei?
Prices for flights to both Hefei 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 $28Hefei $36
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$4.71
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.72Hefei $19
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 : $65
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
- Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.71Hefei $11
When comparing the travel costs between Surat Thani and Hefei, we can see that Hefei is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Hefei Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Hefei?
Hefei has a larger population, and is about 1388900 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Hefei, 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 Hefei?
Hefei 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 Hefei in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Hefei. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Hefei. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Hefei averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Hefei. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in July than Hefei. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Hefei 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hefei in the Autumn?
Both Hefei and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year.
In October, Surat Thani is generally much warmer than Hefei. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Hefei fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In October, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Hefei. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Hefei 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hefei in the Winter?
Both Hefei and Surat Thani during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Hefei can be very cold. Surat Thani is much warmer than Hefei in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Hefei fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Surat Thani usually gets more rain in January than Hefei. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Hefei 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hefei in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Hefei. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.
In the spring, Surat Thani is much warmer than Hefei. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Hefei averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Hefei. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Hefei 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hefei and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Hefei | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (1 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.