Should you visit Chumphon or Khao Lak?
Should I visit Chumphon or Khao Lak? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Chumphon
Sometimes tourism has a tendency to spoil the natural beauty of a place. This is not the case in the magical city of Chumphon, Thailand. As the gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago, this city has maintained natural, untouched beauty. Its miles of coastline are full of fine beaches with fishing, swimming and a number of other activities.
Khao Lak
Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.
Which city is cheaper, Khao Lak or Chumphon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Chumphon is $32, while the average daily cost in Khao Lak is $103. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Chumphon and Khao Lak in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $28 in Chumphon For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Khao Lak is $96. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Chumphon cost around $12 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $4.80.
On average, meal and food prices in Khao Lak cost around $27 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $11.
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Food
Meals for one day
Chumphon $12
Khao Lak $27
Typical Food prices in Chumphon
For Chumphon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Ice Cream
$0.18
-
Fruit at the Market
$0.61
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Breakfast
$1.22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chumphon
For Chumphon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
-
Thai Akha Kitchen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour:
$23
-
Tom Yum Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$23
-
Asia Scenic Thai Cooking Class:
$25
-
Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok:
$26
-
InFusion Cooking Classes in Koh Samui:
$26
-
Sompong Thai Cooking Class:
$27
-
Galangal Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai:
$28
-
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai:
$29
-
Chocolate Cooking Class at SO Sofitel Bangkok:
$31
-
Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin:
$31
-
Pum Thai Cooking Class in Patong Beach:
$31
-
Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy:
$31
Local Transportation
To get around in Chumphon, the average visitor spends $5.67 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
The cost of a taxi ride in Khao Lak is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $47 per person, per day, on local transportation in Khao Lak.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chumphon
Also for Chumphon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Krabi/Phuket Airport Transfers (KBV/HKT) for Krabi & More:
$15
-
Private Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Phuket and Other Areas by Oriental Holiday:
$18
-
7 Spa Luxury Spa Treatments in Pattaya with Round Trip Transfers:
$26
-
Kata Rocks Resort & Residences (8D7N) with free COE Application and Airport Transfers:
$2,321
-
Private Bangkok and Pattaya Airports Transfers (UTP, DMK or BKK) for Pattaya:
$31
-
Private Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Transfers for Chiang Mai by TTD:
$12
-
Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai and More:
$16
-
Private City Transfers between Ayutthaya and Bangkok by TTS:
$53
-
Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya by TTS:
$53
-
Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More:
$46
-
Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More by TTD:
$43
-
Private City Transfers between Hat Yai and Pak Bara Pier:
$68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
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[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test by Nabon Inter Medical Clinic in Phuket (Transfer arranged by TTD):
$21
-
[Next Day Result] COVID-19 RT-PCR Test by Bangkok Hospital Phuket (Transfer Arranged by TTD):
$105
-
Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Phuket with Transfers:
$22
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Tiger Kingdom Ticket in Chiang Mai with Transfers:
$5.59
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Shared Minivan Transfers between Krabi & Khao Sok:
$16
-
Shared Minivan Transfers between Krabi & Khao Lak:
$17
-
Shared Airport Bus Transfer Phuket :
$3.09
-
Samui Airport Transfers (USM) for Koh Samui and More:
$15
-
SUV Car Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport:
$59
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SUV Car Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Patong, Kata, Karon Beach:
$100
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Round Trip Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak:
$60
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Private Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers (BKK) for Bangkok, Pattaya, and More by Oriental Holiday:
$17
Is it cheaper to fly into Chumphon or Khao Lak?
Prices for flights to both Khao Lak and Chumphon 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.
Entertainment
In Chumphon, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $9.21 per person, per day.
Entertainment and activities in Khao Lak typically cost an average of $17 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Chumphon
For Chumphon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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SHOCK PRICE!! Only at THB10 for Airport Rail Link (ARL) Single Journey Ticket with FREE EMS:
$0.30
-
Pattaya Pipo Pony Club Admission Ticket in Pattaya:
$1.55
-
Pattaya Sheep Farm Ticket:
$2.19
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Nails, Eyelash, and Waxing Beauty Experience at Ju's Nail:
$3.75
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Ramayana Water Park Ticket in Pattaya:
$3.75
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Wakeboarding Experience at Thai Wake Park in Pattaya:
$4.19
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Pong Yang Adventure Park Experience:
$4.49
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Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
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Rejuv Salon Beauty Experiences at Sathon Bangkok:
$5.85
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Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Ticket in Pattaya:
$5.89
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Sleep Salon & Nails Experience in Bangkok:
$6.15
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Kanchanaburi Mallika City Ticket:
$6.19
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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4 Island Day Tour by Speedboat or Longtail Boat from Lanta Island:
$31
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ATV Half Day Adventure in Pattaya:
$28
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Ancient Ayutthaya Tour: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Bang Pa-In Royal Palace & More by AK Travel:
$33
-
Aquaria Phuket Ticket:
$4.95
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa In and Night Market Visit by TTD:
$31
-
Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok with Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Market Visit:
$35
-
Bangkok Floating Markets Day Tour from Siam Paragon by TTD:
$28
-
Dii Wellness Med Spa Experience by Divana at Central Embassy BTS Ploenchit:
$62
-
Go Bangkok e-Scooter Tour:
$46
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Indoor Go Karting Experience by EasyKart Bangkok:
$13
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Krabi Koh Klang Cultural Day Tour by TTD:
$74
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Krabi Sunrise Tour with Breakfast and Kayaking at Klong Nam Sai:
$33
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Chumphon spend on average $10 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Khao Lak may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $12 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Chumphon
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chumphon are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Chumphon
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chumphon:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
Sample the Local Flavors in Khao Lak
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Khao Lak:
-
PB Valley Vineyard and Wine Tasting Tour in Khao Yai:
$22
-
Bangkok Pub Crawl by Pub Crawls Thailand:
$22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chumphon and Khao Lak, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Chumphon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chumphon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chumphon 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 Lak would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Lak than you might in Chumphon.
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