Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Nakhon Ratchasima, 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.
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40. 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 Phuket and Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Nakhon Ratchasima? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Phuket 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.
Phuket has a larger population, and is about 89070 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Nakhon Ratchasima, 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.
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Nakhon Ratchasima. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Nakhon Ratchasima. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Nakhon Ratchasima. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Phuket is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Phuket during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in January than Nakhon Ratchasima. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Nakhon Ratchasima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Nakhon Ratchasima. Phuket is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 31°C (89°F).
Phuket | Nakhon Ratchasima | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |