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

Should you visit Lombok 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 Lombok 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: Lombok or Khao Sok National Park?

Lombok

Lombok is an island east of the well-tread Bali and west of lesser-developed Sumbawa. While Lombok is not as popular as its neighbor to the west, it is a great place to visit for that very reason. Less popularity means lower prices for accommodations, food, activities, and less-inundated tourist spots. Nonetheless, Lombok is rapidly developing in tourism, and the government is naming it and Sumbawa the number two tourism spots, following Bali.

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 Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Sok National Park or Lombok?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $52, while the average daily cost in Khao Sok National Park is $88. 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 Lombok and Khao Sok National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lombok $29
    Khao Sok National Park $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lombok $58
    Khao Sok National Park $44
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Khao Sok National Park

Looking for a hotel in Lombok or Khao Sok National Park? 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 Lombok


Hotels in Khao Sok National Park


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: Lombok Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lombok $11
    Khao Sok National Park $64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok

Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport transfer from Lombok Airport to Kuta Mandalika : $23
  • Private Transfer International Airport Lombok (LOP) To Hotel: $23
  • Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $25
  • Lombok Airport Transfer ( Private ): $26
  • Airport Transfer: Airport To Kuta/kuta To Airport: $27
  • Lombok Airport Transfer : $27
  • Private Transfer from Senggigi to Lombok Airport (LOP): $32
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Bintaro: $32
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Senggigi: $32
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Dusun Kerandangan: $32
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Mangsit: $32
  • Private Transfer from Lombok Cruise Port to Lombok Airport (LOP): $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Lombok or Khao Sok National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Sok National Park and Lombok 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
    Lombok $12
    Khao Sok National Park $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lombok

For Lombok, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Anggrek Putih Cooking Class & Garden Tour: $38
  • Love and Legends: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner on the beach : $47
  • Traditional Cooking Class Experience With Recipes From The Past Generations: $67
  • Amazing Lombok BBQ Beach Sunset Dinner: $86
  • Lombok Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $100
  • Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $117

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lombok $10
    Khao Sok National Park $28

Tours and Activities in Lombok

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.

  • Gili T Island: The Thrilling Sunset Snorkeling Adventure: $17
  • Lombok Private Custom Tour - Lombok Car Hire with Driver : $31
  • Benang Stokel and Kelambu Waterfall Tour - Lombok Private Tour: $42
  • Half-Day Mataram City Tour: $44
  • Mataram Lombok Historical City tour: $49
  • Lombok City Tour combination With Temple Tour : $49
  • Private Lombok Waterfall Tour: Benang Kelambu, Benang Stokel & Narmada Park: $50
  • Complete your Lombok Holiday with Lombok Instagram Tour: $50
  • Beach Tour in Lombok Indonesia: $51
  • Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfall Tour - Private Day Tour: $55
  • Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile Waterfall Trekking Tour: $55
  • One Day Tour Pink Beach East Lombok Excursion: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lombok $8.15
    Khao Sok National Park $5.65


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lombok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lombok 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 Lombok.

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



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

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 Lombok or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Lombok during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Khao Sok National Park. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Lombok is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lombok 26°C (79°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 28°C (82°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Khao Sok National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 27°C (81°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Khao Sok National Park. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

Lombok usually gets more rain in January than Khao Sok National Park. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In the winter, Lombok often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun.

Lombok is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 27°C (80°F)

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

Both Khao Sok National Park and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In April, Lombok usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Lombok is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lombok 28°C (82°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 29°C (83°F)

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Lombok

Lombok Khao Sok National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 29°C (83°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 345 mm (13.6 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 286 mm (11.3 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 284 mm (11.2 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 272 mm (10.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 417 mm (16.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 351 mm (13.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)


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