A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nakhon Ratchasima vs. Katoomba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Katoomba?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba

Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.

The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Katoomba?

Katoomba has a larger population, and is about 18590 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?

Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Katoomba. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Katoomba in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally a little warmer than Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 30°C (86°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

It's quite rainy in Katoomba. Nakhon Ratchasima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets more rain in July than Katoombain January. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Katoomba in the Autumn?

Both Katoomba 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 Katoomba for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. In October, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives more rain than Katoombain April. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Katoomba in the Winter?

Both Katoomba 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 Katoomba because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.

Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in January than Katoombain July. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Katoomba in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

Nakhon Ratchasima can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally much warmer than Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 31°C (89°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In April, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives around the same amount of rain as Katoombain October. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Nakhon Ratchasima