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

Should you visit Seoul or Khao Sok National Park?

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 Seoul and Khao Sok National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Seoul or Khao Sok National Park?

Seoul

With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.

Khao Sok National Park

In the south of Thailand, visitors will find a gorgeous getaway of pure nature. The Khao Sok National Park is a jungle reserve that covers over 700 square kilometers, and described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in the country.

Many say this jungle is over 160 million years old making it one of the world's oldest rainforests. The lush environment of limestone, waterfalls and thickets of vegetation will make any wanderer eager to discover more. Keep your eyes peeled for bears, boars, gaurs, tapirs, gibbons, deer, marbled cats, wild elephants and more. Look to the sky for over 300 species of bird and 38 different types of bats.

You'll find the best time to book is from December to April, better known as the dry season. From June to October there is significantly more rain and the threat of monsoons. Not only does it rain on your parade, but also it causes the leeches to emerge.

To enter the park is a 300 baht fee for foreigners, 150 for children, and 40 for Thai citizens. If someone tries to sell you a ticket for more than that, simply buy one at the park entrance. When planning your stay remember that your entrance fee is only valid for 24 hours. If you're staying multiple days, you'll need to pay up front. Often if you're with a tour, the entrance fee is included in the tour price, but you should inquire about this to make sure.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Sok National Park or Seoul?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $128, while the average daily cost in Khao Sok National Park is $126. 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 Seoul and Khao Sok National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Seoul $54
    Khao Sok National Park $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Seoul $108
    Khao Sok National Park $56
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Khao Sok National Park

Looking for a hotel in Seoul or Khao Sok 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 Seoul


Hotels in Khao Sok 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: Seoul Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Seoul $15
    Khao Sok National Park $74
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:


  • Subway Card
    $3.58
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $5.01
  • Metro Ride
    $0.97
  • Seoul City Pass Plus
    $7.16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:

  • Night Views Tour with Guide and Transfers: $41
  • From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $55
  • Transfer Service from Gimpo Airport to Hotel City: $57
  • Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $60
  • Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
  • Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
  • Private Transfer from Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul hotels: $80
  • Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
  • Private Airport Transfer Gimpo Intl Airport (GMP) to Seoul City: $83
  • Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
  • Private Gimpo Airport Transfer to/from Seoul(1~7pax): $94
  • Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95

Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Khao Sok National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Sok National Park and Seoul 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
    Seoul $51
    Khao Sok National Park $52
Typical Food Prices in Seoul

Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:


  • Rice with Kimchi & Bacon
    $4.30
  • Waffle
    $0.72
  • Dippin' Dots
    $1.43
  • Chicken Fried Rice
    $3.94
  • Chicken Stick
    $1.43
  • Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew
    $1.36
  • Lunch Buffet
    $4.30
  • Donut
    $0.72
  • Mushroom Burger
    $3.72
  • Green Tea Ice Cream
    $2.36
  • Udon & Sushi
    $5.01
  • Fresh Burger
    $3.44
  • Soba Noodles Lunch
    $3.22
  • Bibimbap Lunch
    $3.58
  • Fried Rice
    $3.94
  • Vietnamese Dinner
    $6.80
  • Breakfast and Coffee for 2
    $6.80
  • Donut
    $1.79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul

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

  • Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
  • Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
  • [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $52
  • Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
  • Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $53
  • Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
  • Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $58
  • Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
  • Seoul by Night: Palaces, Market & Street Food Tour (Vegan Option): $65
  • Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $65
  • Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
  • Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Seoul $26
    Khao Sok National Park $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:


  • Palace Tickets
    $5.73
  • Movie Ticket
    $5.73
  • Kimchi Museum
    $2.15

Tours and Activities in Seoul

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

  • K-Culture Adventure in Seoul Self-Guided Walking Tour : $3.58
  • Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
  • Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
  • Alternative A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Korean Society and Local Mindset Gwanghwamun Tour: $8.00
  • [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
  • Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $11
  • Gwanghwamun Tour about Korean Society and Local Mindset: $11
  • SPAREX Jjimjilbang Sauna Dongmyo branch Admission Ticket(내국인불가): $11
  • Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
  • Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Insa-dong(내국인불가): $12
  • Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Seoul $12
    Khao Sok National Park $6.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul

Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl: $25
  • The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
  • LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $29
  • Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $42
  • Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $47
  • Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
  • Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
  • Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $59
  • Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
  • Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
  • Itaewon Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $73
  • Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $79


When comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive? and Is Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Seoul or Khao Sok National Park?

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

Should I visit Seoul or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Seoul is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Seoul in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. Seoul usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during summer. Seoul gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. It's quite rainy in Seoul. In July, Seoul usually receives more rain than Khao Sok National Park. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Seoul 26°C (78°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Seoul or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Seoul during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In October, Seoul is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around 15°C (59°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Seoul. In the autumn, Seoul often gets more sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Seoul gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun.

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Seoul usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Seoul 15°C (59°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Seoul or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Seoul in the winter. Seoul is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Sok National Park this time of the year. Seoul usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during winter. Seoul gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Seoul usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Seoul -3°C (27°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Seoul or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Khao Sok National Park. Many travelers come to Seoul for the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

In the spring, Seoul is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Seoul in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. In the spring, Seoul often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Seoul gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Seoul usually gets less rain in April than Khao Sok National Park. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Seoul 13°C (55°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 29°C (83°F)

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Seoul

Seoul Khao Sok National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -0°C (32°F) 25 mm (1 in) 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 345 mm (13.6 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 286 mm (11.3 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 369 mm (14.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 284 mm (11.2 in)
Aug 26°C (80°F) 294 mm (11.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 272 mm (10.7 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 417 mm (16.4 in)
Oct 15°C (59°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 351 mm (13.8 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
Dec 0°C (33°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)