Which place is cheaper, Hoi An 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 Hoi An?
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 Hoi An 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 Hoi An?
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."
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesHoi An Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Hoi An $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Hoi An is $51. 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 Hoi An in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Hoi An $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Hoi An $40
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Hoi An
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Hoi An? 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: Hoi An Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $27Hoi An $18
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.34
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hue Private Car with Driver for Customizable Trip & Transfer: $7.09
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Hoi An?
Prices for flights to both Hoi An 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 $28Hoi An $16
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
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$13
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.79
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.72Hoi An $12
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 Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$140
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Short Boat Ride$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cruiseship Tour to MY SON HOLYLAND - DA NANG CITY From Chan May or Tien Sa Port: $179
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & DA NANG City: $154
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & HOI AN City: $154
- Cruiseship Trip to GOLDEN BRIDGE & MY SON SANCTUARY from CHAN MAY orTIEN SA Port: $189
- Cruiseship Trip to My Son Sanctuary & GOLDEN BRIDGE from TIEN SA orCHAN MAY Port: $200
- Hoi An Experience 3 Hours Wood Carving Class with Local Artist: $47
- Hue : Shuttle bus from Hue to Hoi An and sightseeing: $16
- Hue-Da Nang-Hoi An Bus Tour with English Guide & Sightseeing: $22
- Hue: Half-Day Tour with Optional Dragon Boat Perfume River: $28
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $150
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $180
- My Son - Hoi An Full Day Private Tour With Meals: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.71Hoi An $8.59
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Hoi An, we can see that Surat Thani is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Surat Thani would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surat Thani than you might in Hoi An.
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 Hoi An Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Hoi An?
Hoi An has a larger population, and is about 32760 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Hoi An, 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 Hoi An?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hoi An in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Hoi An. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Hoi An. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Hoi An in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Hoi An fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Hoi An 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hoi An in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Hoi An. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Hoi An. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in October than Hoi An. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Hoi An. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Hoi An averages at about 25°C (78°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Hoi An 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hoi An in the Winter?
Both Hoi An 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. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. In January, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Hoi An. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Hoi An. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Hoi An fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Hoi An 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Hoi An in the Spring?
Both Hoi An 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round.
Surat Thani usually gets more rain in April than Hoi An. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Hoi An in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Hoi An fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Hoi An 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Hoi An and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Hoi An | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.