A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koyasan vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koyasan or Khao Sok National Park?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koyasan 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Koyasan or Khao Sok National Park?

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koyasan Expensive? and Is Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koyasan or Khao Sok National Park?

Koyasan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Sok National Park experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Khao Sok National Park. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Koyasan is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koyasan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Sok National Park this time of the year. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during summer. Koyasan gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koyasan or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Khao Sok National Park. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

In October, Koyasan is generally cooler than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 19°C (65°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Koyasan gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koyasan usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Koyasan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Koyasan is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. Koyasan usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during winter. Koyasan gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koyasan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Khao Sok National Park. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koyasan or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Koyasan during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In the spring, Koyasan is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koyasan in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).

In Khao Sok National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Koyasan often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Koyasan gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun.

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets less rain in April than Khao Sok National Park. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Koyasan