A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eilat vs. Nakhon Ratchasima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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

Should I visit Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Eilat

Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.

Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.

Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nakhon Ratchasima

If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Eilat?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Eilat is $140, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40. 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 Eilat and Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Eilat $93
    Nakhon Ratchasima $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Eilat $186
    Nakhon Ratchasima $38
Compare Hotels in Eilat and Nakhon Ratchasima

Looking for a hotel in Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima? 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 Eilat


Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima


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: Eilat Hotel Prices and Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Eilat $13
    Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat

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


  • Local Bus
    $3.71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat

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

  • Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
  • From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:


  • Tuk Tuk
    $1.36
  • Bus to Vientiane
    $1.36

Is it cheaper to fly into Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Eilat 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
    Eilat $35
    Nakhon Ratchasima $15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Eilat $16
    Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81

Tours and Activities in Eilat

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

  • 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
  • 2 day tour to Petra from Eilat: $299
  • Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
  • From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $63
  • Full Day Petra Tour from Eilat: $289
  • Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
  • Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
  • Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
  • Park Timna: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
  • Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
  • Petra 2-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Authentic Lunch: $290
  • Petra and Wadi Rum 2 day tour from Eilat: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Eilat $27
    Nakhon Ratchasima $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East and Nakhon Ratchasima is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat than you might in Nakhon Ratchasima.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eilat Expensive? and Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Eilat has a larger population, and is about 45590 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Eilat and Nakhon Ratchasima, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. In July, Eilat usually receives less rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Eilat can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Eilat is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 33°C (91°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Eilat 33°C (91°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Eilat during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.

Nakhon Ratchasima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Eilat usually gets less rain in October than Nakhon Ratchasima. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Eilat is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Eilat 26°C (79°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Nakhon Ratchasima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Eilat usually receives less rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Eilat is much colder than Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Eilat in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 25°C (77°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Eilat 14°C (57°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Eilat or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Nakhon Ratchasima. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year.

Eilat usually gets less rain in April than Nakhon Ratchasima. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's very hot in Nakhon Ratchasima this time of the year. In April, Eilat is generally cooler than Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 24°C (75°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 31°C (89°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Eilat 24°C (75°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)

Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Eilat

Eilat Nakhon Ratchasima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 1 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 30°C (86°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 0 mm (0 in) 31°C (89°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 31°C (88°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 30°C (87°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 30°C (86°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Aug 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 30°C (85°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Sep 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 29°C (84°F) 244 mm (9.6 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 1 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 26°C (79°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)