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

Should you visit Rotorua or Khao Yai National Park?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rotorua and Khao Yai National Park can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

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

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.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotorua and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Rotorua is more expensive. And not only is Khao Yai National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotorua 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 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 Khao Yai National Park.

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

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

Rotorua 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 Rotorua or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Yai National Park and Rotorua are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Rotorua is much colder than Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotorua in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. In January, Rotorua usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Parkin July. Rotorua gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 315 mm (12.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Khao Yai National Park and Rotorua during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.

In April, Rotorua is generally much colder than Khao Yai National Parkin October. Daily temperatures in Rotorua average around 16°C (61°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Khao Yai National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rotorua usually gets less rain in April than Khao Yai National Parkin October. Rotorua gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotorua and Khao Yai National Park. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Rotorua is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotorua averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

In July, Rotorua usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Parkin January. Rotorua gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

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

In the spring, Rotorua is much colder than Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotorua in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 30°C (87°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Khao Yai National Park. Rotorua usually gets less rain in October than Khao Yai National Parkin April. Rotorua gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 128 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Rotorua