A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Nakhon Ratchasima vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Khao Sok National Park?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Khao Sok National Park, 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 Khao Sok National Park?

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.

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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 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 Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

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

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Nakhon Ratchasima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in July than Khao Sok National Park. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).

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

Both Khao Sok National Park 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. 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. It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. In October, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

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

Both Khao Sok National Park 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in January than Khao Sok National Park. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Khao Sok National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima 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 spring. In April, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Nakhon Ratchasima. In the spring, Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in April average around 31°C (89°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Nakhon Ratchasima