A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Sukhothai vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai and Khao Sok National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

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

Sukhothai

If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.

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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. And not only is Sukhothai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sukhothai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sukhothai 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 Khao Sok National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Sok National Park than you might in Sukhothai.

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

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

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

The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Khao Sok National Park. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in July than Khao Sok National Park. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In the summer, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 hours of full sun.

In July, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 29°C (84°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

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

Both Khao Sok National Park and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

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

Both Khao Sok National Park and Sukhothai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Khao Sok National Park. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Khao Sok National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sukhothai in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 27°C (80°F).

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Khao Sok National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Sok National Park this time of the year. In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Sukhothai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 32°C (89°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Sukhothai