A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Khao Yai National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Beijing or Khao Yai National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Khao Yai National Park 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: Beijing or Khao Yai National Park?

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.

Khao Yai National Park

Adventurous travelers are always in search of new terrain to conquer. At over 2,000 square kilometers, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, and just full of jungles to trek through. In the southwest of Thailand is a sanctuary of mountains and waterfalls.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Beijing?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $77, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $62. 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 Beijing and Khao Yai National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beijing $39
    Khao Yai National Park $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beijing $78
    Khao Yai National Park $72
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Khao Yai National Park

Looking for a hotel in Beijing or Khao Yai National Park? 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.

Hotels in Beijing


Hotels in Khao Yai National Park


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beijing $7.63
    Khao Yai National Park $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:


  • Taxi
    $4.71
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $6.90
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.28
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.21
  • Metro
    $0.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • [Airport Transfer] Beijing Capital Airport ⇔ Beijing City Transfer (one way) ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $30
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Beijing APT-HTL (PEK): $62
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Beijing International Airport: $153
  • Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $205
  • Shared Shuttle Bus Transfer Between Tianjin Cruise Port And Downtown Beijing : $59
  • Self Guided transfer service to Juyongguan Great Wall or Badaling Great Wall: $78
  • Red Theatre Acrobatics Show Ticket with Hotel Transfer: $79
  • Private transfer to the Great Wall of Jinshanling: $106
  • Private transfer to Tianjin airport from downtown Beijing: $108
  • Private transfer from Zhangjiakou Ski Resort to Beijing: $168
  • Private transfer Service from Beijing To Mutianyu and Huanghuacheng Great Wall: $76
  • Private day to Beijing Hua Bei ski resort with transfer service : $174

Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Khao Yai National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park and Beijing 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Beijing $21
    Khao Yai National Park $17
Typical Food Prices in Beijing

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:


  • Popcorn
    $0.83
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $6.90
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.76
  • Watermelon
    $1.93
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $16
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.

  • Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Nangong Hot Spring Water World with Dinner: $38
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
  • 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
  • Mogolian Hot Pot Dinner with no limit soft drink and local beer .: $70
  • Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
  • Authentic Lunch or Dinner Tour in Beijing's Best Hidden Spots: $80
  • Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $80
  • Discovery more local Beijing evening food Tour: $89
  • 4-hour Evening Tour: Jingshan Hill, Beihai Park & Hutongs Street Food Tour: $105

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beijing $24
    Khao Yai National Park $8.77
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing

Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Summer Palace for Two
    $8.28
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $59
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.66
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $17
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $17
  • Audio Guides at Forbidden City
    $11

Tours and Activities in Beijing

Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
  • Beijing Art Tour: Seeing Fantastic Ming Murals at Fa Hai Temple : $220
  • Classic One Day Beijing Tour: $240
  • Forbidden City Tour : $110
  • Mutianyu Great Wall And Ming Tomb Private One Day Tour: $205
  • Mutianyu Great Wall and Ming Tomb Private Tour: $190
  • Private Day to T-Square, Forbidden city, Temple of heaven, Summer palace Tour : $177
  • Private Temple of Heaven Walking Tour w/ Options Nearby: $90
  • The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Entrance Ticket: $8.00
  • 1 Day Romantic Tour in Oriental Provence Lavender Manor and Mutianyu Great Wall: $208
  • 1 day Summer Palace+Yonghe Temple+Confucius Temple Private Tour: $280
  • 1-Day Beijing Private tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace: $267

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beijing $12
    Khao Yai National Park $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:

  • Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
  • Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $150
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Khao Yai National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Khao Yai National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Khao Yai National Park 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing than you might in Khao Yai National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Beijing or Khao Yai National Park?

Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Yai National Park experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Khao Yai National Park. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Yai National Park throughout the year.

In the summer, Beijing is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 28°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Khao Yai National Park. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Khao Yai National Park. Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets less rain in July than Khao Yai National Park. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 315 mm (12.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Beijing 27°C (80°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Beijing or Khao Yai National Park in the Autumn?

Both Khao Yai National Park and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Beijing is generally much colder than Khao Yai National Park. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Yai National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Khao Yai National Park during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Park. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Beijing 14°C (56°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Beijing or Khao Yai National Park in the Winter?

Both Khao Yai National Park and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.

It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. Beijing is much colder than Khao Yai National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In Khao Yai National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 276 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Khao Yai National Park. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Beijing -4°C (26°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Beijing or Khao Yai National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Khao Yai National Park. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Beijing is much colder than Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 30°C (87°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Yai National Park this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Yai National Park during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

Khao Yai National Park receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Park. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 128 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Beijing 14°C (57°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 30°C (87°F)

Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Beijing

Beijing Khao Yai National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (26°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 26 mm (1 in) 30°C (87°F) 128 mm (5.1 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 30°C (85°F) 225 mm (8.8 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 277 mm (10.9 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 315 mm (12.4 in)
Aug 25°C (78°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 385 mm (15.1 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 360 mm (14.2 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec -1°C (29°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)