A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cheju (Jeju) vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cheju (Jeju) or Khao Sok National Park?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cheju (Jeju) and Khao Sok National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Cheju (Jeju) or Khao Sok National Park?

Cheju (Jeju)

Cheju is an island located just off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait. It is known for its volcanic landscape full of craters and cave-like lava tubes, which many visitors venture to hike and explore. With the main industry invested in tourism, it is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners alike, and remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.

Khao Sok National Park

In the south of Thailand, visitors will find a gorgeous getaway of pure nature. The Khao Sok National Park is a jungle reserve that covers over 700 square kilometers, and described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in the country.

Many say this jungle is over 160 million years old making it one of the world's oldest rainforests. The lush environment of limestone, waterfalls and thickets of vegetation will make any wanderer eager to discover more. Keep your eyes peeled for bears, boars, gaurs, tapirs, gibbons, deer, marbled cats, wild elephants and more. Look to the sky for over 300 species of bird and 38 different types of bats.

You'll find the best time to book is from December to April, better known as the dry season. From June to October there is significantly more rain and the threat of monsoons. Not only does it rain on your parade, but also it causes the leeches to emerge.

To enter the park is a 300 baht fee for foreigners, 150 for children, and 40 for Thai citizens. If someone tries to sell you a ticket for more than that, simply buy one at the park entrance. When planning your stay remember that your entrance fee is only valid for 24 hours. If you're staying multiple days, you'll need to pay up front. Often if you're with a tour, the entrance fee is included in the tour price, but you should inquire about this to make sure.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in South Korea, The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Cheju (Jeju) or Khao Sok National Park?

Cheju (Jeju) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Sok National Park experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cheju (Jeju) and Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Cheju (Jeju) is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Cheju (Jeju) average around 26°C (79°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Sok National Park this time of the year. In Cheju (Jeju), it's very sunny this time of the year. Cheju (Jeju) usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park during summer. Cheju (Jeju) gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cheju (Jeju) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cheju (Jeju) usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Cheju (Jeju) gets 230 mm (9.1 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cheju (Jeju) as well as Khao Sok National Park. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

Cheju (Jeju) is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cheju (Jeju) averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Cheju (Jeju) often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park. Cheju (Jeju) gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Cheju (Jeju) usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Cheju (Jeju) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Cheju (Jeju) are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Cheju (Jeju) is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cheju (Jeju) in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. Cheju (Jeju) usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during winter. Cheju (Jeju) gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cheju (Jeju) usually receives more rain than Khao Sok National Park. Cheju (Jeju) gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Cheju (Jeju) during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In April, Cheju (Jeju) is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Cheju (Jeju) average around 13°C (56°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In Khao Sok National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Cheju (Jeju) often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Cheju (Jeju) gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun.

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cheju (Jeju) usually gets less rain in April than Khao Sok National Park. Cheju (Jeju) gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Cheju (Jeju)