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

Should you visit Picton or Khao Yai National Park?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Picton and Khao Yai National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Picton or Khao Yai National Park?

Picton

Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.

The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!

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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.


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

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Picton is $87, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $62. 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 Picton and Khao Yai National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Picton $37
    Khao Yai National Park $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Picton $74
    Khao Yai National Park $72
Compare Hotels in Picton and Khao Yai National Park

Looking for a hotel in Picton 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 Picton


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: Picton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Picton -
    Khao Yai National Park $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:

  • Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $46
  • Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $38
  • Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $38
  • Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $46

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

Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park and Picton 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
    Picton $20
    Khao Yai National Park $17

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Picton $109
    Khao Yai National Park $8.77

Tours and Activities in Picton

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

  • 1-Day Cruise in Queen Charlotte Track & Kupes Trail Walk: $118
  • 2 hour Dolphin Viewing Eco-Tour from Picton: $91
  • 3.5 Hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise: $67
  • Bays and Bush Scenic Tour: $97
  • Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton: $91
  • CRUISE SHIP DAY Hop on Hop off Yealands & Marlborough tour: $121
  • Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise: $90
  • Cruise Excursion - Wines of Marlborough Tour: $103
  • Cruise Ship Day - Marlborough: $60
  • Cruise and Lunch at Furneaux Lodge: $82
  • Day Cruise & Lunch at Punga Cove Resort: $81
  • Early Bird Eco Cruise: $73

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Picton $35
    Khao Yai National Park $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Picton

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

  • Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $37
  • Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Steve & Jo in Marlborough : $40
  • Marlborough: Hop On Hop Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $53
  • Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $54
  • Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $70
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $87
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $88
  • Discover Marlborough Wine - Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour : $90
  • Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $91
  • Marlborough Discovery Sampler Wine Tour - 1/2Day Blenheim: $97
  • Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $100
  • Half-Day Marlborough Wine Tour & Beer Tour : $109


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Picton and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Picton is more expensive. And not only is Khao Yai National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Picton 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 Picton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Picton 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 Picton Expensive? and Is Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.



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

Picton 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 Picton or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Yai National Park and Picton during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Picton in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.

In the summer, Picton is much colder than Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Picton in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.

Khao Yai National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Picton usually gets less rain in January than Khao Yai National Parkin July. Picton gets 61 mm (2.4 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
    Picton 18°C (64°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (83°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Picton and Khao Yai National Park. Most visitors come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Picton is generally much colder than Khao Yai National Parkin October. Daily temperatures in Picton average around 15°C (58°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Khao Yai National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Picton usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Parkin October. Picton gets 82 mm (3.2 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
    Picton 15°C (58°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (82°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Picton as well as Khao Yai National Park. The winter months attract visitors to Picton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Yai National Park throughout the year.

Picton is much colder than Khao Yai National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Picton averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

Picton receives a lot of rain in the winter. Picton usually gets more rain in July than Khao Yai National Parkin January. Picton gets 111 mm (4.4 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
    Picton 10°C (49°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 26°C (78°F)

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

Both Khao Yai National Park and Picton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to Picton this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Picton is much colder than Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Picton in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 30°C (87°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. In October, Picton usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Parkin April. Picton gets 93 mm (3.7 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
    Picton 13°C (55°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 30°C (87°F)

Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Picton

Picton Khao Yai National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 30°C (86°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 30°C (87°F) 128 mm (5.1 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 30°C (85°F) 225 mm (8.8 in)
Jun 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 277 mm (10.9 in)
Jul 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 315 mm (12.4 in)
Aug 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 385 mm (15.1 in)
Sep 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 360 mm (14.2 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Nov 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)