A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Khao Lak vs. Mount Everest for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Khao Lak or Mount Everest?

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 Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest?

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.

Mount Everest

More commonly known as Mount Everest, Qomolangma is the highest mountain in the world with a peak reaching 8,848 meters above sea level. Pilgrims trek long distances to worship its divine aura, climbing enthusiasts run great risks to challenge its high altitude, and visitors from all over come to see where the tallest reaches of earth meet the heavens.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Kathmandu, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Pokhara.


Which place is cheaper, Mount Everest or Khao Lak?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $112, while the average daily cost in Mount Everest is $38. 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 Mount Everest in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Khao Lak $51
    Mount Everest $6.84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Khao Lak $102
    Mount Everest $14
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Mount Everest

Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak or Mount Everest? 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 Khao Lak


Hotels in Mount Everest


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: Khao Lak Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Khao Lak $52
    Mount Everest -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:

  • Phuket: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Khao Lak by Car: $30
  • Khao Lak/Bang Sak: 1-Way Private Transfer to Phuket Airport: $41
  • 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $42
  • Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $44
  • 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $55
  • Khao Lak To Khao Sok Private Minivan & Car Transfer: $56
  • Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $100
  • From Carnival Magic Phuket Ticket with Transfer: $106
  • Krabi Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khaolak: $111
  • Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $119

Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Mount Everest?

Prices for flights to both Mount Everest 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Khao Lak $31
    Mount Everest $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.

  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Market Tour by Pakinnaka School: $56
  • Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $57
  • Authentic Thai cooking class with market tour.: $59
  • Thai Cooking Class in a Garden with Transfer: $59
  • Thai Cooking Class in Khaolak: $61
  • 3 hours Khao Lak Cooking Class and Market Visit: $68
  • Half-Day Cooking Class and Ingredient Hunt: $68
  • 3-Hour Khaolak Cooking Class with Food Market Visit: $69
  • Khao Sok Local Life Adventure & Traditional Cooking Class: $89
  • Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class and Waterfall Tour: $97
  • ATV Quad Bike Excursion to Stunning Waterfalls with Dinner: $97
  • Thai Food Cooking Class & ATV Adventure Tour: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Khao Lak $19
    Mount Everest $18

Tours and Activities in Khao Lak

Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guided Walk & Feed Elephant Experience with Pickup: $35
  • Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $37
  • Guide Tour to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary in Small Group: $44
  • Takuapa Cultural History Half-Day Tour From Khao Lak: $48
  • Elephant Sanctuary Guided Tour: $51
  • Khaolak: Begin the Day with Elephants - Walk and Feed Tour: $51
  • Elephant Bathing and Feeding Tour: $52
  • 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $53
  • 30-Minutes ATV Quads and Waterfall Experience in Khaolak : $55
  • Little Amazon Canoe Ride & Tam Nang Waterfall Tour: $56
  • Sok River Canoeing | Half-Day Tour: $58
  • Historical And Cultural Day Tour To Takuapa Old Town From Khao Lak: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Khao Lak $13
    Mount Everest -


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

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 Mount Everest Expensive?.