Which place is cheaper, Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta?
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 Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta?
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."
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
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 PricesKoh Lanta Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Koh Lanta $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Koh Lanta is $64. 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 Koh Lanta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Koh Lanta $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Koh Lanta $56
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Koh Lanta
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Koh Lanta? 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: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $27Koh Lanta $6.52
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
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Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta$19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lanta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lanta:
- Koh Lanta Private Transfers to or from Krabi Airport (KBV): $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Koh Lanta?
Prices for flights to both Koh Lanta 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 $28Koh Lanta $21
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 Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
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Casual Breakfast$5.02
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Casual Lunch$8.48
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Casual Dinner$14
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.72Koh Lanta $35
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Emerald Cave Tour$22
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.71Koh Lanta $4.36
When comparing the travel costs between Surat Thani and Koh Lanta, we can see that Surat Thani 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 Koh Lanta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Koh Lanta?
Koh Lanta has a larger population, and is about 6090 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Koh Lanta, 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 Koh Lanta?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Lanta in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Koh Lanta. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year.
June to September in Koh Lanta is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in July than Koh Lanta. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Koh Lanta receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Koh Lanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Lanta averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Koh Lanta 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Lanta in the Autumn?
Both Koh Lanta 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In October, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Koh Lanta. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Koh Lanta receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Koh Lanta. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Lanta fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Koh Lanta 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Lanta in the Winter?
Both Koh Lanta 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round.
January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. Surat Thani usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Koh Lanta. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Lanta receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Koh Lanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Koh Lanta fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Koh Lanta 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Koh Lanta in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Koh Lanta. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Koh Lanta. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Koh Lanta receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Koh Lanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Koh Lanta averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Koh Lanta 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Lanta and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Koh Lanta | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.