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

Should you visit Nagano or Khao Sok National Park?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Khao Sok National Park 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: Nagano or Khao Sok National Park?

Nagano

Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Nagano and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Nagano 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.

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

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

Nagano 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 Nagano or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Nagano during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In the summer, Nagano is cooler than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In Khao Sok National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 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 Nagano. Nagano usually gets less rain in July than Khao Sok National Park. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Khao Sok National Park. Many visitors come to Nagano in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Nagano is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during autumn. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nagano usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Khao Sok National Park. Most visitors come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

Nagano can be very cold during winter. Nagano is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nagano this time of the year. In the winter, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Khao Sok National Park. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Khao Sok National Park and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Nagano because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Nagano is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during spring. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In April, Nagano usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Nagano