Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Cairns?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cairns or Khao Yai National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cairns or Khao Yai National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Cairns or Khao Yai National Park?
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
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 Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairns $94Khao Yai National Park $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairns is $94, 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 Cairns and Khao Yai National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairns $43Khao Yai National Park $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairns $86Khao Yai National Park $72
Compare Hotels in Cairns and Khao Yai National Park
Looking for a hotel in Cairns 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.
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: Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairns $12Khao Yai National Park $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Bus Shared Transfer Cairns City to Port Douglas: $49
- Shuttle Bus Shared Transfer Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $50
- Shared Shuttle Transfer - Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $40
- Shared Shuttle Return Transfers (ex Cairns) Transfers Only: $63
- Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Palm Cove: $78
- Private Transfer from Cairns hotels to Port Douglas Cruise Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Port Douglas hotels: $143
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns Airport (CNS): $45
- Private Transfer from Cairns City Hotels to Cairns Cruise Port: $21
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $109
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns Cruise Port: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairns or Khao Yai National Park?
Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park and Cairns 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 dayCairns $28Khao Yai National Park $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairns $37Khao Yai National Park $8.77
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $43
- 3B Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Crocodile Wildlife Cruise: $188
- Atherton Tablelands, Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns: $98
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $97
- Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise: $92
- Barron Gorge and Kuranda National Park Half Day Rainforest and Waterfall 4WD Tour from Cairns: $120
- Cairns 4WD Rainforest Waterfall Tour Including a GBR Island Tour: $242
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission & Coral Conservation Tour: $52
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital and City Sightseeing Tour: $116
- Cairns Aquarium and small group City Sightseeing Tour: $125
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairns $13Khao Yai National Park $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairns and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Cairns is more expensive. And not only is Khao Yai National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairns is in Pacific and Khao Yai National Park is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive? and Is Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Cairns or Khao Yai National Park?
Cairns 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 Cairns or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?
Both Khao Yai National Park and Cairns are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Cairns is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairns in January average around 29°C (84°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. It's quite rainy in Cairns. In January, Cairns usually receives more rain than Khao Yai National Parkin July. Cairns gets 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 315 mm (12.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCairns 29°C (84°F)Khao Yai National Park 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Cairns or Khao Yai National Park in the Autumn?
Both Khao Yai National Park and Cairns during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cairns in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.
In April, Cairns is generally around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Parkin October. Daily temperatures in Cairns average around 27°C (80°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Khao Yai National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. Cairns usually gets more rain in April than Khao Yai National Parkin October. Cairns gets 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCairns 27°C (80°F)Khao Yai National Park 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cairns or Khao Yai National Park in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairns and Khao Yai National Park. Most visitors come to Cairns for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cairns is cooler than Khao Yai National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairns averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
In July, Cairns usually receives more rain than Khao Yai National Parkin January. Cairns gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCairns 23°C (73°F)Khao Yai National Park 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Cairns or Khao Yai National Park in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cairns as well as Khao Yai National Park. The spring months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Yai National Park throughout the year.
In the spring, Cairns is cooler than Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairns in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 30°C (87°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Khao Yai National Park. Cairns usually gets less rain in October than Khao Yai National Parkin April. Cairns gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 128 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilCairns 27°C (80°F)Khao Yai National Park 30°C (87°F)
Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Cairns
| Cairns | Khao Yai National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 225 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 277 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 315 mm (12.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 385 mm (15.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 10 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.