Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Kanchanaburi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi 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: Kanchanaburi or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Kanchanaburi
If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.
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 Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKanchanaburi $42Nakhon Ratchasima $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $42, 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 Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $19Nakhon Ratchasima $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $38Nakhon Ratchasima $38
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi 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.
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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices and Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kanchanaburi $12Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $98
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $163
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $171
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $104
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Kanchanaburi: $117
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Kanchanaburi 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
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Food Meals for one dayKanchanaburi $12Nakhon Ratchasima $15
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch$4.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class: $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kanchanaburi $9.10Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Entry Park TreeHouse$5.46
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Amazing Boat Trip River Kwai and Erawan Falls Full Day Tour: $117
- Bangkok Mystical Waterfall & River Kwai Tour: $241
- Bangkok and Beyond - A 6 Day Exciting Group Tour: $1,004
- Bangkok: 2-Day River Kwai & Erawan National Park Tour: $282
- Bangkok: Bridge on the River Kwai Full Day Guided Tour: $81
- Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour: $95
- Bangkok: Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfall Private Tour: $149
- Cycling to visit Local Experience and Learn Culture with Local expert: $29
- Discovery Bike Tour: $16
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $31
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Erawan Waterfalls & Phra That Cave Tour : from Bangkok: $111
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKanchanaburi $8.03Nakhon Ratchasima $10
When comparing the travel costs between Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi Expensive? and Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kanchanaburi or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Kanchanaburi has a larger population, and is about 63700 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?
Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. In July, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the summer. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?
Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Kanchanaburi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.
November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. Nakhon Ratchasima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in October than Nakhon Ratchasima. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kanchanaburi in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Kanchanaburi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nakhon Ratchasima. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Kanchanaburi is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 25°C (77°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Nakhon Ratchasima. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year.
Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. Kanchanaburi usually gets more rain in April than Nakhon Ratchasima. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Nakhon Ratchasima. It's very hot in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the spring. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 31°C (89°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)
Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Kanchanaburi
| Kanchanaburi | Nakhon Ratchasima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.