Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Sapa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sapa or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sapa and Nakhon Ratchasima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sapa or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
Nakhon Ratchasima
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 Budget Tours to Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySapa $36Nakhon Ratchasima $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Sapa is $36, 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 Sapa and Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSapa $12Nakhon Ratchasima $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSapa $24Nakhon Ratchasima $38
Compare Hotels in Sapa and Nakhon Ratchasima
Looking for a hotel in Sapa 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sapa Hotel Prices and Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sapa $9.41Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
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Short Motorbike Ride$1.20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
Is it cheaper to fly into Sapa or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima and Sapa 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
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Food Meals for one daySapa $16Nakhon Ratchasima $15
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
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Casual Dinner (for One)$2.72
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Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.20
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Coffee (for Two)$2.40
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Western Dinner (for Two)$7.96
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Pho Soup$0.60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sapa $6.13Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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CatCat Village Tax$1.60
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Ta Phin Village Tax$0.80
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Walking Stick$0.20
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Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySapa $8.18Nakhon Ratchasima $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
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Two Beers$1.00
When comparing the travel costs between Sapa and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Sapa Expensive? and Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sapa or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Sapa has a larger population, and is about 138620 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Sapa 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.