Which place is cheaper, Khao Sok National Park or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai or Khao Sok National Park?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $49Khao Sok National Park $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $49, while the average daily cost in Khao Sok National Park is $95. 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 Chiang Mai and Khao Sok National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $28Khao Sok National Park $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $56Khao Sok National Park $48
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Khao Sok National Park
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Khao Sok 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.94Khao Sok National Park $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.19
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Moped Rental$5.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer - Chiang Mai International Airport: $4.17
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way) : $8.24
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $9.67
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Chiangmai Town: $9.77
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $10
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $14
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Departure Shared Transfer: $15
- Chiang Mai Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer : Chiang Mai International Airport (SHA Plus): $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Khao Sok National Park?
Prices for flights to both Khao Sok National Park and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $11Khao Sok National Park $28
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.78
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.71
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Casual Breakfast$1.19
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.93
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Mangoes$0.89
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Coffee$1.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $12
- Chiang Mai : Small Group Thai Cooking class with market tour: $19
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $21
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $24
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $24
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $24
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $24
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $27
- We Cook Thai Home Garden Cooking School: $27
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $27
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai : $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Khao Sok National Park $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$39
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.78
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Kratong Lessons$2.96
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Pedicure$4.45
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.33
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.25
- Sights & Highlights Walking tour: $6.64
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $13
- 3 Hour Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $15
- Historical and Culture Exploration Walking Tour: $15
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City Twilight Walking Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.34Khao Sok National Park $6.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$2.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Nightlife in Town!: $7.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Khao Sok National Park?
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 Chiang Mai or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?
Both Khao Sok National Park and Chiang Mai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.
June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in July than Khao Sok National Park. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Khao Sok National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 hours of full sun.
In July, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Khao Sok National Park 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Khao Sok National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Khao Sok National Park 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Khao Sok National Park. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Khao Sok National Park. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Chiang Mai is cooler than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Khao Sok National Park 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?
Both Khao Sok National Park and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.
Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Khao Sok National Park 29°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Khao Sok National Park | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.