A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Similan Islands vs. Nakhon Ratchasima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Similan Islands or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Nakhon Ratchasima 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: Similan Islands or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands Expensive? and Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.

October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. Nakhon Ratchasima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Nakhon Ratchasima. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Nakhon Ratchasima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Nakhon Ratchasima. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year.

Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Nakhon Ratchasima. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

The heat can be very extreme in Nakhon Ratchasima. Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 31°C (89°F).

Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Similan Islands