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

Should you visit Newcastle or Khao Yai National Park?

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

Should I visit Newcastle or Khao Yai 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: Newcastle or Khao Yai National Park?

Newcastle

Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.

Khao Yai National Park

Adventurous travelers are always in search of new terrain to conquer. At over 2,000 square kilometers, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, and just full of jungles to trek through. In the southwest of Thailand is a sanctuary of mountains and waterfalls.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Newcastle?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Newcastle Prices
    Australia Prices
    Khao Yai National Park Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Newcastle $117
    Khao Yai National Park $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Newcastle is $117, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $85. 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 Newcastle and Khao Yai National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Newcastle $45
    Khao Yai National Park $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Newcastle $90
    Khao Yai National Park $82
Compare Hotels in Newcastle and Khao Yai National Park

Looking for a hotel in Newcastle or Khao Yai National Park? 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 Newcastle


Hotels in Khao Yai National Park


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: Newcastle Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Newcastle $8.41
    Khao Yai National Park $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:

  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $82
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $80
  • Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
  • Newcastle Airport to Newcastle - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148
  • Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Newcastle or Khao Yai National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park and Newcastle 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
    Newcastle $61
    Khao Yai National Park $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.

  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $69
  • Earp Distilling Co: Date Night with Blending Class & Dinner: $73
  • Cooking Classes at the Yellow Door Kitchen: $96

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Newcastle $15
    Khao Yai National Park $10

Tours and Activities in Newcastle

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:

  • 3- Hour Wine and Harvest the Hunter Horse Tour in Pokolbin: $93
  • Shared Newcastle Harbor Cruise: $43
  • 3-Hour Hunter Valley Scenic Helicopter Tour Including 3-Course Lunch from Cessnock: $270
  • Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $40
  • Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Fromage and Fortified Wine Experience: $53
  • Award Winning Full Day Wine and Food Experience: $150
  • Christmas Lunch Cruise on Newcastle Harbour: $57
  • Coastal 2.5-hour Adventure Boat Tour from Newcastle: $82
  • From Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Group Tour: $165
  • From Sydney: Tandem Skydive Experience over Newcastle Beach: $266
  • From Sydney: Tandem Skydive Experience over Newcastle Beach: $263
  • Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle: $83

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Newcastle $10
    Khao Yai National Park $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:

  • Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $6.66
  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting : $10
  • Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $11
  • Newcastle Bar Crawl Experience: $15
  • Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $23
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
  • Wonnarua Sparkling Wine Tasting: $30
  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Premium Wine Tasting: $30
  • Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $33
  • Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $35
  • Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $35
  • Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Newcastle and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Newcastle is more expensive. And not only is Khao Yai National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Newcastle is in Pacific and Khao Yai National Park is in Asia, 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 Khao Yai National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Khao Yai National Park 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle than you might in Khao Yai National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Newcastle Expensive? and Is Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Newcastle or Khao Yai National Park?

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

Should I visit Newcastle or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Yai National Park and Newcastle during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Newcastle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.

In the summer, Newcastle is cooler than Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Newcastle in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Newcastle. In the summer, Newcastle often gets more sunshine than Khao Yai National Parkin July. Newcastle gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 176 hours of full sun.

Khao Yai National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. Newcastle usually gets less rain in January than Khao Yai National Parkin July. Newcastle gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 315 mm (12.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Newcastle 22°C (72°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Newcastle or Khao Yai National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle and Khao Yai National Park. Many visitors come to Newcastle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Newcastle is generally cooler than Khao Yai National Parkin October. Daily temperatures in Newcastle average around 19°C (67°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Yai National Park this time of the year. Newcastle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Yai National Park during autumn. Newcastle gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Khao Yai National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Newcastle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Newcastle usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Parkin October. Newcastle gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Newcastle 19°C (67°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Newcastle or Khao Yai National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Newcastle as well as Khao Yai National Park. Most visitors come to Newcastle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Yai National Park throughout the year.

Newcastle is much colder than Khao Yai National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Newcastle averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In the winter, Newcastle often gets less sunshine than Khao Yai National Parkin January. Newcastle gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 276 hours of full sun.

Newcastle usually gets more rain in July than Khao Yai National Parkin January. Newcastle gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Newcastle 13°C (55°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Newcastle or Khao Yai National Park in the Spring?

Both Khao Yai National Park and Newcastle are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Newcastle is much colder than Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Newcastle in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 30°C (87°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Khao Yai National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. Newcastle usually receives less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park during spring. Newcastle gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. In October, Newcastle usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Parkin April. Newcastle gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 128 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Newcastle 18°C (64°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 30°C (87°F)

Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Newcastle

Newcastle Khao Yai National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 21°C (71°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 30°C (86°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 19°C (67°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 30°C (87°F) 128 mm (5.1 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 102 mm (4 in) 30°C (85°F) 225 mm (8.8 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 277 mm (10.9 in)
Jul 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 315 mm (12.4 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 385 mm (15.1 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 360 mm (14.2 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)


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