A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Khao Lak vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Khao Lak or Khao Sok National Park?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Khao Lak and Khao Sok National Park 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.

Where Should I go: Khao Lak or Khao Sok National Park?

Khao Lak

Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.

Khao Sok National Park

In the south of Thailand, visitors will find a gorgeous getaway of pure nature. The Khao Sok National Park is a jungle reserve that covers over 700 square kilometers, and described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in the country.

Many say this jungle is over 160 million years old making it one of the world's oldest rainforests. The lush environment of limestone, waterfalls and thickets of vegetation will make any wanderer eager to discover more. Keep your eyes peeled for bears, boars, gaurs, tapirs, gibbons, deer, marbled cats, wild elephants and more. Look to the sky for over 300 species of bird and 38 different types of bats.

You'll find the best time to book is from December to April, better known as the dry season. From June to October there is significantly more rain and the threat of monsoons. Not only does it rain on your parade, but also it causes the leeches to emerge.

To enter the park is a 300 baht fee for foreigners, 150 for children, and 40 for Thai citizens. If someone tries to sell you a ticket for more than that, simply buy one at the park entrance. When planning your stay remember that your entrance fee is only valid for 24 hours. If you're staying multiple days, you'll need to pay up front. Often if you're with a tour, the entrance fee is included in the tour price, but you should inquire about this to make sure.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Khao Sok National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Khao Sok National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Khao Sok National Park 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 Khao Sok National Park.

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 Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Khao Lak or Khao Sok National Park?

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 Khao Lak or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Khao Sok National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the summer. Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Khao Lak usually receives around the same amount of rain as Khao Sok National Park. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Sok National Park this time of the year. In Khao Lak, it's very sunny this time of the year. Khao Lak usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park during summer. Khao Lak gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Khao Lak is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 28°C (82°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Khao Lak or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Khao Lak as well as Khao Sok National Park. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

Also, November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. May to October in Khao Lak is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Khao Lak receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Khao Lak usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Khao Sok National Park. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Khao Lak often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park. Khao Lak gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun.

Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Khao Lak or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Khao Lak usually receives around the same amount of rain as Khao Sok National Park. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park during winter. Khao Lak gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Khao Lak in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Khao Lak or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Khao Lak during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

November to April is the dry season in Khao Lak. May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak. Khao Sok National Park 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 around the same amount of rain in April as Khao Sok National Park. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Khao Sok National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Khao Lak. In the spring, Khao Lak often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park. Khao Lak gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun.

In April, Khao Lak is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 29°C (83°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Khao Lak