Which place is cheaper, Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi?
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 Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi?
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."
Kanchanaburi
If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesKanchanaburi Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Kanchanaburi $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Kanchanaburi is $58. 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 Kanchanaburi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Kanchanaburi $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Kanchanaburi $44
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Kanchanaburi
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Kanchanaburi? 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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $27Kanchanaburi $14
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $187
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $119
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Kanchanaburi?
Prices for flights to both Kanchanaburi 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 $28Kanchanaburi $24
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 Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch$4.71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class: $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.72Kanchanaburi $10
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: $80
- Dolphin Watching Tan and Pig Island Tour from Koh Samui : $66
- 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 Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Entry Park TreeHouse$6.28
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Best Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi River: $27
- Discovery Bike Tour: $18
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $35
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Guided Walking Tour in History & Legends: $174
- Half Day Kanchanaburi Bike Tour with History and Local Life: $53
- Kanchanaburi Erawan Waterfall and Train Along Death Railway Tour: $178
- Kanchanaburi Tour Erawan Waterfall Temples and Giant Rain Tree: $112
- Kanchanaburi Tour Hellfire Pass History tour: $108
- Kanchanaburi Tour: Erawan Waterfall and Death Railway: $112
- Kanchanaburi Tree Top Adventure Park Tours: $45
- Private Tour: Kanchanaburi Local Thai Life and City Discovery: $191
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.71Kanchanaburi $9.24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Kanchanaburi, we can see that Surat Thani is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.
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 Kanchanaburi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Kanchanaburi?
Kanchanaburi has a larger population, and is about 63700 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Kanchanaburi, 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 Kanchanaburi?
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 Kanchanaburi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Kanchanaburi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Kanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Kanchanaburi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Kanchanaburi. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year.
Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Kanchanaburi. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Kanchanaburi. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Kanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Kanchanaburi in the Winter?
Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Kanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Kanchanaburi in the Spring?
Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi year-round.
November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Kanchanaburi. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Kanchanaburi can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Surat Thani is cooler than Kanchanaburi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 32°C (89°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Kanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)
Typical Weather for Kanchanaburi and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Kanchanaburi | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 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.