Which place is cheaper, Khao Sok National Park or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Surat Thani or Khao Sok 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 Surat Thani and Khao Sok 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: Surat Thani or Khao Sok National Park?
Surat Thani
The best way to see the real culture of a country is to go where the tourists are not. If you are itching to experience real Thai culture, you may want to visit the city of Surat Thani. Located on the central gulf coast of southern Thailand, this city is usually the gateway to other Thai islands – meaning visitors run through it without stopping. Stay a while and get to know Surat Thani – known to the locals as the "City of Good People."
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 Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $60Khao Sok National Park $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $60, while the average daily cost in Khao Sok National Park is $99. 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 Surat Thani and Khao Sok National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $28Khao Sok National Park $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $56Khao Sok National Park $50
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Khao Sok National Park
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani 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.
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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $27Khao Sok National Park $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.96
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $14
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Koh Samui: Private Airport Transfer: $25
- Samui Airport Transfer: $33
- Samui Private Airport Transfer: Cheap & Convenience: $34
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $37
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $37
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $37
- Transfer From Phuket to Samui Pier: $38
- Phuket to Koh Phangan Van and Ferry Transfer: $42
- Full Moon Party Transfer - Koh Samui to Koh Phangan: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Khao Sok National Park?
Prices for flights to both Khao Sok National Park and Surat Thani 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 daySurat Thani $16Khao Sok National Park $30
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:
-
Dinner$4.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surat Thani
For Surat Thani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Khao Sok: Elephant Day Care, Cooking Class, & Bamboo Raft: $72
- Unforgettable Private Cooking with Michelin Star: $746
- Koh Samui : Hiking ,Guided walk and cooking: $1,010
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.63Khao Sok National Park $32
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Go-Karting Experience with Sodi Karts: $18
- Khao Sok: Private Bamboo Rafting & Jungle Cave Temple Tour: $37
- The one and only Zipline Experience of Lamai Viewpoint: $42
- Koh Samui: Phetch Buncha Boxing Stadium Muay Thai Ticket: $45
- Angthong Marine Park Full-Day Big Boat Economy Tour: $45
- Coral and Pig Island: Koh Samui Island-Hopping Small Group Tour: $51
- Jungle Party Experience koh phanghan: $51
- Ko Phangan: Jungle Party Experience: $52
- Jeep Tour Koh Samui Jungle Safari Full Day Adventure: $52
- Zipline in Koh Samui Adventure activity tour: $56
- Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
- KOH SAMUI : Ang Thong Marine Park Adventure with Kayaking: $60
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $5.62Khao Sok National Park $6.40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surat Thani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surat Thani Expensive? and Is Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?
Both Khao Sok National Park and Surat Thani during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani 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.
Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in July than Khao Sok National Park. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 28°C (82°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Khao Sok National Park 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Khao Sok National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Khao Sok National Park 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Khao Sok National Park. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.
Surat Thani usually gets more rain in January than Khao Sok National Park. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surat Thani in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 27°C (80°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Khao Sok National Park 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?
Both Khao Sok National Park and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 29°C (83°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Khao Sok National Park 29°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Khao Sok National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.