Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Nakhon Ratchasima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Tao?
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 Tao, 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 Tao?
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 Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNakhon Ratchasima $40Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNakhon Ratchasima $19Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNakhon Ratchasima $38Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Tao? 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 Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50Koh Tao $8.67
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $15Koh Tao $9.21
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81Koh Tao $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $277
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $10Koh Tao $7.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When comparing the travel costs between Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Tao, we can see that Nakhon Ratchasima is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Tao?
Koh Tao has a larger population, and is about 1380 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?
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 Tao in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nakhon Ratchasima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Nakhon Ratchasima is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Koh Tao. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
October and November in Koh Tao is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Nakhon Ratchasima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tao. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Nakhon Ratchasima is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao and Nakhon Ratchasima are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June. In January, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao and Nakhon Ratchasima during the spring 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 Tao year-round.
February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets less rain in April than Koh Tao. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's very hot in Nakhon Ratchasima this time of the year. Nakhon Ratchasima is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 31°C (89°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Nakhon Ratchasima
| Nakhon Ratchasima | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.