Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo?
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."
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesYangshuo Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Yangshuo $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $86. 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 Yangshuo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Yangshuo $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Yangshuo $52
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Yangshuo
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani or Yangshuo? 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 $27Yangshuo $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- Donsak pier to Krabi,Phuket,Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $127
- Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $91
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $82
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $79
- Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $63
- 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
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Between Airport & Yangshuo: $106
- Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
- From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
- From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Yangshuo?
Prices for flights to both Yangshuo 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 $28Yangshuo $33
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: $123
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Cooking Class with Market Trip: $45
- Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.72Yangshuo $24
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: $82
- 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: $82
- Koh Phangan: Electric Dirt Bike Jungle Tour: $95
- Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $74
- Koh Samui Island Hopping Adventure in Coral and Pig Island: $53
- Koh Samui: Feed & Shower with Elephants Experience: $66
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $170
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
- 1-Day Private Yangshuo Bicycle Tour along Ten-Mile Gallery: $119
- 1-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour from Beijing/Chengdu/Shanghai: $497
- All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
- Day Tour in Yangshuo and Li River: $155
- Enchanting Li River & Beyond: Cruise, Peaks & Panorama: $293
- Entry Ticket to Liu San Jie Impression Show: $71
- From Guilin: 6-Day Yangtze River Cruise with Excursions: $1,299
- From Guilin: Yangshuo Rock-climbing & River-tracing Tour: $282
- From Xingping River-tracing Half Day Private Tour: $102
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.71Yangshuo $34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Yangshuo, we can see that Yangshuo is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Yangshuo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surat Thani or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 300000 times larger than the population of Surat Thani. When comparing the sizes of Surat Thani and Yangshuo, 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 Yangshuo?
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo in the Summer?
Both Yangshuo and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Yangshuo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 30°C (86°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. It's quite rainy in Surat Thani. In July, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Yangshuo 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yangshuo in the Autumn?
Both Yangshuo and Surat Thani during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Yangshuo. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Yangshuo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Yangshuo. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Yangshuo 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yangshuo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Yangshuo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.
Surat Thani is much warmer than Yangshuo in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Yangshuo fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In January, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Yangshuo. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Yangshuo 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yangshuo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Yangshuo. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Surat Thani is a little warmer than Yangshuo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Yangshuo averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in April than Yangshuo. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Yangshuo receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Yangshuo 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Yangshuo and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Yangshuo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.