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

Should you visit Hoi An or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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 Hoi An and Nakhon Ratchasima. 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: Hoi An or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Hoi An

Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Hoi An?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $51, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $58. 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 Hoi An and Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hoi An $20
    Nakhon Ratchasima $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hoi An $40
    Nakhon Ratchasima $44
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Nakhon Ratchasima

Looking for a hotel in Hoi An 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 Hoi An


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: Hoi An Hotel Prices and Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hoi An $18
    Nakhon Ratchasima $5.19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:


  • Taxi From Danang to Hoi An
    $8.34
  • Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town
    $0.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An

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

  • Hue Private Car with Driver for Customizable Trip & Transfer: $7.09

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima

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


  • Tuk Tuk
    $1.57
  • Bus to Vientiane
    $1.57

Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Hoi An 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
    Hoi An $16
    Nakhon Ratchasima $30
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An

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


  • Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)
    $13
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $3.79
  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $7.58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hoi An $12
    Nakhon Ratchasima $6.68
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Golf (for Two)
    $140
  • Short Boat Ride
    $1.52

Tours and Activities in Hoi An

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

  • Cruiseship Tour to MY SON HOLYLAND - DA NANG CITY From Chan May or Tien Sa Port: $179
  • Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & DA NANG City: $154
  • Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & HOI AN City: $154
  • Cruiseship Trip to GOLDEN BRIDGE & MY SON SANCTUARY from CHAN MAY orTIEN SA Port: $189
  • Cruiseship Trip to My Son Sanctuary & GOLDEN BRIDGE from TIEN SA orCHAN MAY Port: $200
  • Hoi An Experience 3 Hours Wood Carving Class with Local Artist: $47
  • Hue : Shuttle bus from Hue to Hoi An and sightseeing: $16
  • Hue-Da Nang-Hoi An Bus Tour with English Guide & Sightseeing: $22
  • Hue: Half-Day Tour with Optional Dragon Boat Perfume River: $28
  • My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $150
  • My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $180
  • My Son - Hoi An Full Day Private Tour With Meals: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hoi An $8.59
    Nakhon Ratchasima $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $9.10


When comparing the travel costs between Hoi An and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Nakhon Ratchasima is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Hoi An has a larger population, and is about 32760 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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 Hoi An 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 Hoi An or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?

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

The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. In July, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Hoi An is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hoi An in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 30°C (86°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hoi An 29°C (85°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Hoi An or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Hoi An during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets more rain in October than Nakhon Ratchasima. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Hoi An is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 25°C (78°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hoi An 25°C (78°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Hoi An or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?

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

February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. Hoi An gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Hoi An is cooler than Nakhon Ratchasima in the winter. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hoi An 22°C (71°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Hoi An or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?

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

Hoi An usually gets less rain in April than Nakhon Ratchasima. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nakhon Ratchasima can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Hoi An is cooler than Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hoi An in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 31°C (89°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hoi An 26°C (80°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)

Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Hoi An

Hoi An Nakhon Ratchasima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (71°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 30°C (86°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 31°C (89°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 31°C (88°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jun 30°C (85°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 30°C (87°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 30°C (86°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 30°C (85°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 331 mm (13 in) 29°C (84°F) 244 mm (9.6 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 613 mm (24.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 24°C (76°F) 376 mm (14.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 223 mm (8.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)