Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Khao Sok National Park?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Khao Sok National Park. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Koh Tarutao
While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Khao Sok National Park or Koh Tarutao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $89, while the average daily cost in Khao Sok National Park is $79. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Koh Tarutao and Khao Sok National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Koh Tarutao, $90 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Koh Tarutao, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $45, such as in a hostel.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $20. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Khao Sok National Park the cost is $40 on average.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Koh Tarutao $45
Khao Sok National Park $20
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Koh Tarutao
$90
Khao Sok National Park
$40
Food
In Koh Tarutao travelers spend around $26 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
On average, meal and food prices in Khao Sok National Park cost around $24 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $9.60.
Local Transportation
Koh Tarutao's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $30 per person, per day on transportation in Koh Tarutao.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $58 per day to get around in Khao Sok National Park.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Koh Tarutao $30
Khao Sok National Park $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Khao Sok National Park?
Prices for flights to both Khao Sok National Park and Koh Tarutao 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Koh Tarutao can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $13 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $25 per person, per day in Khao Sok National Park. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Koh Tarutao $13
Khao Sok National Park $25
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Koh Tarutao spend on average $6.33 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $5.10 on alcoholic beverages in Khao Sok National Park per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Tarutao and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Koh Tarutao is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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