A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dali vs. Khao Yai National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dali or Khao Yai National Park?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dali and Khao Yai National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dali or Khao Yai National Park?

Dali

Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Dali?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Dali Prices
    China Prices
    Khao Yai National Park Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Dali $62
    Khao Yai National Park $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $62, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $85. 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 Dali and Khao Yai National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dali $17
    Khao Yai National Park $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dali $34
    Khao Yai National Park $82
Compare Hotels in Dali and Khao Yai National Park

Looking for a hotel in Dali 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.

Hotels in Dali


Hotels in Khao Yai National Park


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dali $9.34
    Khao Yai National Park $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:


  • Local Bus
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG): $149
  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Khao Yai National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park and Dali 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dali $32
    Khao Yai National Park $33
Typical Food Prices in Dali

For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $4.49
  • Breakfast
    $3.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali

For Dali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cangshan Mountain hike and organic homemade dinner: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dali $18
    Khao Yai National Park $10

Tours and Activities in Dali

For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Dali Erhai Sightseeing Tour: $250
  • 1-Day Dali Tie Dye Experience Private Tour: $230
  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
  • Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $71
  • Dali Day Tour: Scenic Lakes, Bai Heritage & Tie-Dye Workshop: $262
  • Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
  • Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $87
  • Dali Yunnan Local Market Pottery Making Eco Tour: $197
  • Ancient City, Three Pagodas, and Longkan (ErHai) Tour: $85
  • Donglianhua (East Lotus) & Hui Muslim Culture Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dali $11
    Khao Yai National Park $13


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

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