A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Koh Lipe vs. Nakhon Ratchasima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Lipe or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Nakhon Ratchasima can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Koh Lipe or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Koh Lipe

Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.

Nakhon Ratchasima

If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Lipe?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lipe is $85, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40. 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 Koh Lipe and Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Lipe $44
    Nakhon Ratchasima $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Lipe $88
    Nakhon Ratchasima $38
Compare Hotels in Koh Lipe and Nakhon Ratchasima

Looking for a hotel in Koh Lipe or Nakhon Ratchasima? 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 Koh Lipe


Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima


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: Koh Lipe Hotel Prices and Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Lipe $18
    Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:

  • Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $69

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:


  • Tuk Tuk
    $1.36
  • Bus to Vientiane
    $1.36

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lipe or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Lipe 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
    Koh Lipe $26
    Nakhon Ratchasima $15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Lipe $23
    Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81

Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe

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

  • 2 Hours Tour Sunset Cruise Around Lipe: $15
  • Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $111
  • Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $21
  • Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $25
  • Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Lipe $8.18
    Nakhon Ratchasima $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lipe and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Koh Lipe is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Koh Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe than you might in Nakhon Ratchasima.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lipe Expensive? and Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Nakhon Ratchasima. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in July than Nakhon Ratchasima. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lipe in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 30°C (86°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Lipe is December to April. The rainy season in Koh Lipe is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. In October, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Koh Lipe is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Lipe during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.

Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in January than Nakhon Ratchasima. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Lipe 27°C (80°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Nakhon Ratchasima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Nakhon Ratchasima can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lipe in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 31°C (89°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Lipe 29°C (85°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)

Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe Nakhon Ratchasima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 51 mm (2 in) 30°C (86°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 31°C (89°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 31°C (88°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 224 mm (8.8 in) 30°C (87°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 30°C (86°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 262 mm (10.3 in) 30°C (85°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 355 mm (14 in) 29°C (84°F) 244 mm (9.6 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 281 mm (11.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in) 26°C (79°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 24°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)


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