Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Nakhon Ratchasima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Nakhon Ratchasima Prices
Thailand PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNakhon Ratchasima $58Rotorua $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $58, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $114. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNakhon Ratchasima $22Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNakhon Ratchasima $44Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $5.19Rotorua $4.99
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$1.57
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Bus to Vientiane$1.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $186
Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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 $30Rotorua $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $117
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $6.68Rotorua $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Self Drive Yamaha Experience : $90
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $35
- Auckland: One-Way Tour to Rotorua with Waitomo Caves: $179
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights Tour with Wai-O-Tapu & Hot Tubs: $202
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Te Puia Tour & Redwoods: $206
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Wai O Tapu & Te Puia Tour: $223
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights with Te Puia Tour, Show & Lunch: $226
- Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū : $162
- From Auckland: Rotorua Private Day Tour with Spa Experience: $579
- From HELL's GATE Geothermal MUD BATH Half Day Tour: $159
- From Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch: $177
- From WAI-O-TAPU Geothermal Wonderland Half-Day Tour: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $12Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Rotorua?
Rotorua has a larger population, and is about 65900 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?
Both Rotorua 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, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. In July, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Rotorua in the Autumn?
Both Rotorua 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, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Nakhon Ratchasima is generally much warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Rotorua in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Nakhon Ratchasima is around the same temperature as Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Nakhon Ratchasima averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
In January, Nakhon Ratchasima usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Rotorua in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nakhon Ratchasima as well as Rotorua. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.
The heat can be very extreme in Nakhon Ratchasima. In the spring, Nakhon Ratchasima is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima in April average around 31°C (89°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
Nakhon Ratchasima usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Nakhon Ratchasima gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Nakhon Ratchasima
| Nakhon Ratchasima | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.