A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chichibu-Tama-Kai vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Khao Sok 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Khao Sok 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: Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Khao Sok National Park?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai

Located at the intersection of the Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Tokyo Prefectures, Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a national park in Japan webbed with hiking trails and many ancient shrines. Mount Mitake, Mount Mitsumine, and Mount Mito are just three of the eight peaks that tower above the park at over 2000 meters, while rivers sources flowing below include the Arakawa River, Shinano River, Tama River, and Fuefuki River (Fuji River).

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 10-Day Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. And not only is Chichibu-Tama-Kai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chichibu-Tama-Kai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai.

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

When is the best time to visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Khao Sok National Park?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Chichibu-Tama-Kai during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In July, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Chichibu-Tama-Kai average around 25°C (78°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually gets less rain in July than Khao Sok National Park. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Khao Sok National Park. Many visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chichibu-Tama-Kai as well as Khao Sok National Park. Most visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the museums and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chichibu-Tama-Kai in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually gets less rain in January than Khao Sok National Park. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Chichibu-Tama-Kai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Chichibu-Tama-Kai because of the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In April, Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Chichibu-Tama-Kai