A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Nakhon Ratchasima vs. Koh Chang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Chang?

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

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

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.

Koh Chang

Most people pick Thailand for their destination because they're anxious to collapse on a breathtaking beach. If that is you, Ko Chang does not disappoint. As one the country's most beautiful islands, Ko Chang is full of white beaches and incredible wildlife. Beware, though, you're not the only one with Ko Chang in mind. During the high season, the island can become quite crowded with tourists.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Chang or Nakhon Ratchasima?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40, while the average daily cost in Koh Chang is $48. 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 Koh Chang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nakhon Ratchasima $19
    Koh Chang $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nakhon Ratchasima $38
    Koh Chang $48
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Chang

Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Chang? 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.

Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima


Hotels in Koh Chang


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 Koh Chang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50
    Koh Chang $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:


  • Tuk Tuk
    $1.36
  • Bus to Vientiane
    $1.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Chang

Also for Koh Chang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Trat Airport: Shared Transfers to/from Koh Chang with Ferry: $26
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $209
  • Private Transfer from Trat to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $215
  • Private Transfer from Koh Chang to Bangkok Airport or Don Muang Airport: $199
  • Departure Private Airport Transfer : Koh Chang to Bangkok Airport: $117
  • Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Trat/ Koh Chang: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Chang?

Prices for flights to both Koh Chang 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nakhon Ratchasima $15
    Koh Chang $17

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81
    Koh Chang $5.46

Tours and Activities in Koh Chang

For Koh Chang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Adventure in Diving in Koh Chang: $283
  • Bubblemaker, experience dive for kids from 8 to 10 years old (Koh Chang): $84
  • Full-Day Koh Chang Tour with Lunch : $54
  • PADI Discover Scuba Dive Experience: $153
  • Private Kayak Experience in Bang Bao Bay with Lunch: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nakhon Ratchasima $10
    Koh Chang $4.68


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



When is the best time to visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Chang?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Chang in the Summer?

Both Koh Chang 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. In July, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Koh Chang. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Koh Chang receives 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally around the same temperature as Koh Chang. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 30°C (86°F), and Koh Chang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F) 
    Koh Chang 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Chang in the Autumn?

Both Koh Chang 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round.

November to February is the dry season in Koh Chang. June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang. Koh Chang 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 Koh Chang. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Koh Chang receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Koh Chang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Koh Chang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F) 
    Koh Chang 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Chang in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Chang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season. In January, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Koh Chang. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Koh Chang receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Koh Chang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Chang averages at about 26°C (79°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F) 
    Koh Chang 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Chang in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Koh Chang. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year.

June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Chang. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in April than Koh Chang. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Koh Chang receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nakhon Ratchasima can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally around the same temperature as Koh Chang. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 31°C (89°F), and Koh Chang fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F) 
    Koh Chang 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Chang and Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima Koh Chang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 30°C (86°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 31°C (89°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 29°C (84°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 152 mm (6 in) 28°C (83°F) 356 mm (14 in)
Jun 30°C (87°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 513 mm (20.2 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 440 mm (17.3 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 128 mm (5 in) 27°C (81°F) 514 mm (20.2 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 476 mm (18.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 152 mm (6 in) 27°C (81°F) 280 mm (11 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)


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