Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Khao Lak?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Khao Lak or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
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 Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)?
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.
Nadi (Port Denarau)
Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKhao Lak $112Nadi (Port Denarau) $164
The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $112, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $164. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKhao Lak $51Nadi (Port Denarau) $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKhao Lak $102Nadi (Port Denarau) $206
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Nadi (Port Denarau)
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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: Khao Lak Hotel Prices and Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Khao Lak $52Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.74
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):
- Shared Shuttle Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport/ Port to Hotel: $9.01
- 100% CFC APPROVED Private Transfer - Nadi Airport to Intercontinental Resort : $81
- Airport Transfers: $70
- CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to All Denarau Hotels: $14
- CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Port Denarau Marina: $14
- CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Shangri-La Fijian Resort: $36
- CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Volivoli or Wananavu Rst: $135
- CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Fiji Marriott Resort, to Nadi Airport: $30
- CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Radisson Blu Resort to Nadi Airport: $15
- CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Westin Resort, Denarau to Nadi Airport: $15
- CFC APPROVED Roundtrip Transfer - Nadi Airport to Radisson Blu Resort, Denarau: $29
- CFC APPROVED Roundtrip Transfer - Nadi Airport to Westin Resort, Denarau: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) 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
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Food Meals for one dayKhao Lak $31Nadi (Port Denarau) $39
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nadi (Port Denarau).
- Robinson Crusoe Sunset Cruise Including Dinner, Cultural Show & Transfers: $121
- Super Saver Combo: Tivua Island Day Cruise + Sunset Dinner Cruise in Fiji: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Khao Lak $19Nadi (Port Denarau) $32
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
Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:
- Nadi Tour- Garden of the Sleeping Giant , Temple & Mud Pool Combo: $46
- The Amazing Highlights of Nadi and Veseisei ( Private Tour ) : $50
- Skip the Line: Big Bula Waterpark Full Day Ticket: $51
- Island Adventurers Kid's Show Tickets: $52
- Sabeto Waterfall Tour (Nadi): $58
- Finding Nemo - Half Day Cruise to South Sea Island: $58
- Nadi Must Do Sights Tour Combo: $59
- Fijian Secret Tour: $63
- Nadi Sightseeing Including Viseisei Lookout, Village Tour, Garden & Temple Tour: $69
- Great Taste of Fiji Sightseeing Adventure: $70
- Half Day Sightseeing - Wonders of Nadi Tour: $72
- Nadi Sightseeing & Mud Pool Tour: $76
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKhao Lak $13Nadi (Port Denarau) $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Nadi (Port Denarau), we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) is more expensive. And not only is Khao Lak much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Khao Lak is in Asia and Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Khao Lak would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Khao Lak 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) than you might in Khao Lak.
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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Khao Lak or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
Nadi (Port Denarau) has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Khao Lak and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.
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.