Which place is cheaper, Pyeongchang 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.
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Should you visit Khao Lak or Pyeongchang?
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 Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang?
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.
Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.
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 Seoul, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul.
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Khao Lak Prices
Thailand PricesPyeongchang Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKhao Lak $155Pyeongchang $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $155, while the average daily cost in Pyeongchang is $133. 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 Pyeongchang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKhao Lak $59Pyeongchang $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKhao Lak $118Pyeongchang $122
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Pyeongchang
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak or Pyeongchang? 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 Pyeongchang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Khao Lak $60Pyeongchang $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
- Transfer from Khao Lak Hotel to Phuket Airport: $75
- Transfer Service from Khao Lak Hotel to Krabi / Aonang: $119
- Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $137
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $51
- Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $110
- Private Transfer Between Ko Lanta and Khao Lak: $242
- Khao Lak any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $198
- Khao Lak River Tubing with Music, Drink, and Transfer: $95
- Carnival Magic Phuket Show Ticket with Transfer from Khao Lak: $97
- 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $48
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Pyeongchang?
Prices for flights to both Pyeongchang 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 $61Pyeongchang $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
- Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak by Amazon Prime Series Chef: $59
- Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $65
- Khao Lak Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour & Your Own Menu: $89
- Authentic Thai Cooking in Khao Lak – Market Tour & Flexible Menu: $89
- Khao Sok Local Life Adventure & Traditional Cooking Class: $102
- ATV Quad Bike Excursion to Stunning Waterfalls with Dinner: $111
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Khao Lak $22Pyeongchang $50
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Guided Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary Observation Tour: $57
- 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $80
- ATV Adventure: Khao Lak’s Best Off-Road Experience: $127
- Adventure Off Road Safari to Khao Lak National Park: $110
- Bamboo & Phi Phi Islands, Maya & Pileh Bay Day Tour From Khao Lak: $118
- Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $43
- Cheow Lan Lake with Nam Rad Emerald Pool Tour from Khao Lak: $138
- From Khao Lak : Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip with Lunch: $118
- Full Day 3 Spiritual Temple Tour with Lunch from Khao Lak: $83
- Full Day Phang Nga Bay Highlights Tour: $93
- Full-Day Rescued Elephant Walk with Guide Tour in Khaolak: $156
- Full-Day Similan island Snorking Tour By Speed Boat from Khao Lak: $112
Tours and Activities in Pyeongchang
For Pyeongchang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Balwangsan Cable Car & Samyang Ranch One Day Tour: $78
- Alpensia 2D1N Ski Lift Tour: $141
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKhao Lak $15Pyeongchang $8.69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Pyeongchang, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Pyeongchang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pyeongchang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang.
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 Pyeongchang Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Khao Lak or Pyeongchang?
Pyeongchang has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Lak experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Khao Lak or Pyeongchang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Khao Lak as well as Pyeongchang. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Khao Lak is a little warmer than Pyeongchang in the summer. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Pyeongchang fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Lak this time of the year. In the summer, Khao Lak often gets more sunshine than Pyeongchang. Khao Lak gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pyeongchang receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pyeongchang. Khao Lak receives a lot of rain in the summer. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in July than Pyeongchang. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKhao Lak 28°C (82°F)Pyeongchang 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Pyeongchang in the Autumn?
Both Pyeongchang and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year.
In the autumn, Khao Lak is much warmer than Pyeongchang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Khao Lak in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Pyeongchang averages at about 15°C (60°F).
Khao Lak usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pyeongchang during autumn. Khao Lak gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Pyeongchang receives 185 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. It's quite rainy in Khao Lak. In October, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Pyeongchang. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Khao Lak is November to April. The rainy season in Khao Lak is May to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKhao Lak 27°C (81°F)Pyeongchang 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Pyeongchang in the Winter?
Both Pyeongchang and Khao Lak during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Pyeongchang. In January, Khao Lak is generally much warmer than Pyeongchang. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 27°C (80°F), and Pyeongchang fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).
It's quite sunny in Khao Lak. In the winter, Khao Lak often gets more sunshine than Pyeongchang. Khao Lak gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pyeongchang receives 190 hours of full sun.
Khao Lak usually gets less rain in January than Pyeongchang. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKhao Lak 27°C (80°F)Pyeongchang 0°C (33°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Pyeongchang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Pyeongchang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round.
Khao Lak is much warmer than Pyeongchang in the spring. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Pyeongchang fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pyeongchang this time of the year. In Khao Lak, it's very sunny this time of the year. Khao Lak usually receives more sunshine than Pyeongchang during spring. Khao Lak gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Pyeongchang receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Pyeongchang. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKhao Lak 29°C (83°F)Pyeongchang 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Pyeongchang and Khao Lak
| Khao Lak | Pyeongchang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 217 mm (8.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 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.