Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa or Khao Lak?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Khao Lak and Kanazawa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Khao Lak is a relaxed, friendly, and idyllic area. Many visitors also come to Khao Lak because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Khao Lak travel costs.
Kanazawa is a historic, cultural, and well-preserved city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Kanazawa travel costs.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Khao Lak. Although Khao Lak and Kanazawa are both popular with visitors, Khao Lak has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Khao Lak is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Kanazawa is known for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping. Khao Lak is popular for its undersea marine life, white sand beaches, and mellow coastal vibe. It is also home to Khao Sok National Park. Kanazawa is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kanazawa and Khao Lak. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Kanazawa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Khao Lak is a area with minimal options for its historical sights.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kanazawa. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.
If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Khao Lak. You'll find plenty or natural beauty, but not much in the form of temples or museums.
Kanazawa is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Khao Lak is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kanazawa makes for a great culinary experience. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).
Khao Lak has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a range of southern Thai classics that include seafood, curries, grilled meats, and even vegetarian options. You'll also find an abundance of western food restaurants that serve everything from pizza to burgers.
It's hard to distinguish whether Khao Lak or Kanazawa has a better nightlife scene.
Khao Lak has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's a tranquil place, there are still some bars and clubs that have a laid back atmosphere and are fun places to hang out in the evening.
If you're looking for night time activities Kanazawa has a few options to choose from. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.
Khao Lak is great for its luxury resorts. However, Kanazawa is not a resort destination.
Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Khao Lak. The resorts cater to couples and families and offer a laid back and relaxed setting.
Kanazawa is not a resort destination.
Khao Lak is great for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kanazawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Khao Lak. There are many great dive and snorkel spots in the area and you'll find no shortage of excursions and day trips, whether you're interested in scuba diving or snorkeling.
Kanazawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Khao Lak is very popular for its beaches. However, Kanazawa is not a beach destination.
With world-famous beaches, Khao Lak is a very popular vacation destination. The beaches are a highlight of any trip to Thailand. They offer a laid back and peaceful setting with white sand, turquoise water, and tropical marine life. Some of the best beaches include Bang Niang Beach - which is one of the most popular, Nang Thong Beach - which is one of the most beautiful, and Coconut Beach - which is one of the most idyllic.
Kanazawa is not a beach destination.
Kanazawa is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Khao Lak does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors go to Kanazawa to see the historical old town. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.
Khao Lak does not have a historic old town.
Kanazawa is a great destination for shopping. Also, Khao Lak is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.
Kanazawa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Khao Lak. You'll find night markets, souvenir shops, local tailors, and other places where you can grab essentials or pick up souvenirs from your holiday.
Khao Lak is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Kanazawa is not a destination known for its beauty.
Many visitors also come to Khao Lak because of it's amazing beauty. Stunning beaches, diverse marine life, and breathtaking natural landscapes make this a truly beautiful destination.
Kanazawa is not a destination known for its beauty.
Khao Lak is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
Khao Lak is a very family-friendly destination. This series of islands is filled with outdoor adventures for the whole family. You can explore the undersea world with a mask or snorkel or get out on the water on a kayak. There are also turtle sanctuaries and beautiful beaches where you can pass the time.
Kanazawa is a family-friendly place to visit. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.
Khao Lak is very popular for romance. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.
For those traveling as a couple, Khao Lak has plenty to offer. Underwater beauty, stunning beaches, outdoor adventures, and wildlife experiences all make these islands a world class honeymoon destination.
Kanazawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.
Khao Lak is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kanazawa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.
Khao Lak is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Like most of Thailand, the backpacker amenities are abundant. You'll find plenty of hostels, fun activities, and affordable entertainment throughout the region.
It's common for backpackers to visit Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.
Kanazawa is a city with good options for students. However, Khao Lak is not popular with students.
Kanazawa is popular with students. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.
Khao Lak is not popular with students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Khao Lak and Kanazawa.
You'll find some public transit in Khao Lak, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Transportation comes in the form of tuk tuks, Songthaew (pick up trucks), taxis, and public buses. There are also VIP buses and minivans as well.
While Kanazawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.
Kanazawa is a great destination for its walkability. However, Khao Lak is a area with minimal options for its high level of walkability.
Kanazawa is very walkable. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.
Khao Lak is generally not a very walkable area. While there are areas where you can walk, the region isn't particularly walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Khao Lak Worth Visiting? and Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Khao Lak or Kanazawa to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Khao Lak than Kanazawa because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Khao Lak, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kanazawa.
Families should spend more time in Khao Lak than Kanazawa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Khao Lak, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Khao Lak than Kanazawa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Khao Lak that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
The beautiful area of Khao Lak offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
The city of Kanazawa offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Khao Lak is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Kanazawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kanazawa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Khao Lak is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Khao Lak, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Kanazawa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Khao Lak is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Khao Lak has to offer. This area offers something for everyone.
Kanazawa is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.
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 Khao Lak is $155, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $131. 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 Khao Lak and Kanazawa in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak or Kanazawa? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
Prices for flights to both Kanazawa and Khao Lak 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Kanazawa, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Kanazawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanazawa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Khao Lak Expensive? and Is Kanazawa Expensive?.
Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Khao Lak and Kanazawa, 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.
Kanazawa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Lak experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both Kanazawa and Khao Lak during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Kanazawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Khao Lak. In the summer, Khao Lak often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Khao Lak gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in July than Kanazawa. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Kanazawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Khao Lak is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Khao Lak in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 17°C (62°F).
Khao Lak usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during autumn. Khao Lak gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Kanazawa. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak.
The winter brings many poeple to Khao Lak as well as Kanazawa. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year.
It's quite cold in Kanazawa in the winter. In January, Khao Lak is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 27°C (80°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Lak this time of the year. In the winter, Khao Lak often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Khao Lak gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Khao Lak usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Kanazawa and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year.
Khao Lak is much warmer than Kanazawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during spring. Khao Lak gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Khao Lak. In April, Khao Lak usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kanazawa. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Khao Lak is November to April. The rainy season in Khao Lak is May to October.
Khao Lak | Kanazawa | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 248 mm (9.8 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 306 mm (12 in) |