A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nara vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nara or Khao Sok National Park?

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

Should I visit Nara or Khao Sok National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Nara or Khao Sok National Park?

Nara

As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Nara and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park 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 Nara Expensive? and Is Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Nara or Khao Sok National Park?

Nara has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Sok National Park experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Nara or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Nara is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nara in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during summer. Nara gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. It's quite rainy in Nara. In July, Nara usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Khao Sok National Park and Nara during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nara this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In October, Nara is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 17°C (63°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Nara often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Nara gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun.

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Khao Sok National Park. Many travelers come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nara. Nara is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Sok National Park this time of the year. Nara usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during winter. Nara gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nara usually receives more rain than Khao Sok National Park. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Nara as well as Khao Sok National Park. Many visitors come to Nara in the spring for the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

In the spring, Nara is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nara in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In the spring, Nara often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Nara gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Nara receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nara usually gets less rain in April than Khao Sok National Park. Nara gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Nara