Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Nakhon Ratchasima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach?
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.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNakhon Ratchasima $40Airlie Beach $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $141. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNakhon Ratchasima $19Airlie Beach $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNakhon Ratchasima $38Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach? 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.
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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices and Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50Airlie Beach $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
- Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314
Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Nakhon Ratchasima 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
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Food Meals for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $15Airlie Beach $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $72
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81Airlie Beach $160
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $59
- 1-Day Whitsunday Islands Cruise: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet: $140
- 2 Hour Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tour: $105
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $182
- Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $163
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $10Airlie Beach $8.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nakhon Ratchasima is in Asia and Airlie Beach is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach 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 Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach?
Airlie Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nakhon Ratchasima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Airlie Beach. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 30°C (86°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Nakhon Ratchasima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
Both Airlie Beach and Nakhon Ratchasima are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Nakhon Ratchasima is a little warmer than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. In October, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives around the same amount of rain as Airlie Beachin April. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
Both Airlie Beach and Nakhon Ratchasima during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Airlie Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
Nakhon Ratchasima can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 31°C (89°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In April, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin October. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Nakhon Ratchasima
| Nakhon Ratchasima | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.