Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Nakhon Ratchasima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Cairns, 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 Cairns?
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.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNakhon Ratchasima $40Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNakhon Ratchasima $19Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNakhon Ratchasima $38Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima or Cairns? 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 Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50Cairns $12
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 Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Bus Shared Transfer Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $50
- Shared Shuttle Transfer - Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $40
- Shared Shuttle Return Transfers (ex Cairns) Transfers Only: $64
- Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Palm Cove: $78
- Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Cairns City: $56
- Private Transfer from Cairns hotels to Port Douglas Cruise Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Port Douglas hotels: $143
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns Airport (CNS): $45
- Private Transfer from Cairns City Hotels to Cairns Cruise Port: $21
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $110
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns Cruise Port: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 $15Cairns $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81Cairns $37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Atherton Tablelands, Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns: $99
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $97
- Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise: $92
- Barron Gorge and Kuranda National Park Half Day Rainforest and Waterfall 4WD Tour from Cairns: $120
- Cairns 4WD Rainforest Waterfall Tour Including a GBR Island Tour: $242
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission & Coral Conservation Tour: $52
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Cairns Aquarium Marine Life Encounter Ticket : $198
- Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital and City Sightseeing Tour: $116
- Cairns Aquarium and small group City Sightseeing Tour: $125
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
- Cairns City Sights and Surrounds Tour: $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $10Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Cairns 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Cairns?
Cairns has a larger population, and is about 154230 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima and Cairns, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Cairns?
Cairns 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 Cairns in the Summer?
Both Cairns and Nakhon Ratchasima are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. In July, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Nakhon Ratchasima during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 28°C (82°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Cairns in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
In January, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Cairnsin July. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Cairns. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.
The heat can be very extreme in Nakhon Ratchasima. In the spring, Nakhon Ratchasima is a little warmer than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in April average around 31°C (89°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Nakhon Ratchasima
| Nakhon Ratchasima | Cairns | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.