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

Should you visit Ubud or Khao Sok National Park?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Khao Sok National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

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

Ubud

Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.

Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.

Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.

Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.


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

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 Ubud is $153, 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 Ubud and Khao Sok National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ubud $128
    Khao Sok National Park $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ubud $256
    Khao Sok National Park $56
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Khao Sok National Park

Looking for a hotel in Ubud 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 Ubud


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: Ubud Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ubud $1.75
    Khao Sok National Park $74

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:

  • Bali Airport to Hotel: Private Arrival Transfer: $5.52
  • Private Bali Airport Transfer – Fast, Safe & Comfortable Ride: $6.73
  • Eco Friendly Premium Electric Vehicle Airport Transfers : $6.79
  • Seamless Arrival - Bali Airport Private Transfer: $6.90
  • Ubud -Airport Private Transfer: $7.00
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $7.40
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $7.50
  • Bali Airport Transfers Convenient Pickup to Popular Areas: $7.95
  • Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Jimbaran Area: $8.00
  • Bali Airport (DPS) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $8.02
  • Bali Airport to Hotel:Arrival Private Transfer (Daytime): $8.15
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Denpasar APT-HTL(DPS) : $8.88

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

Prices for flights to both Khao Sok National Park and Ubud 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
    Ubud $20
    Khao Sok National Park $52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud

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

  • Ubud Mystic Dinner at Oracle of Spice Lemuria The Lost City: $17
  • Ubud Cooking Class with Optional Market Visit Pickup Included: $20
  • Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
  • Full Day Ubud Waterfall Visit and Cooking Experience: $24
  • Dance Show + Dinner at Lost City - Story of Humanity : $24
  • Cooking Class and Dinner in Traditional House by Food Lover Tour: $25
  • Jimbaran Beach Candle Light Dinner : $26
  • Ubud Cooking Class by Lemon Grass Cooking Class: $26
  • Balinese Ubud cooking school (9 Dish Cooking and Market Tour) : $26
  • 8 Hours Private Balinese Cooking Class with Tirta Empul Temple: $28
  • Afternoon Cooking Class & Making Bali Offering with Dinner: $29
  • Uluwatu Sunset Trip with Kecak Dance Show and Jimbaran Dinner: $30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ubud $9.84
    Khao Sok National Park $33

Tours and Activities in Ubud

Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Mangrove Tour at Nusa Lembongan : Kayak, Paddle and Boat: $8.00
  • One Way Ticket Fast Boat from Sanur Bali and Nusa Penida : $8.92
  • Bali Tour Customized with Private Tour Driver: $9.00
  • ATV Adventure with Private Tracks and Guide in Ubud: $9.18
  • Hike and Heal Mount Batur Sunrise Tour with Hot Springs Add On: $9.26
  • Full-Day Private North Bali Tour with Free WiFi: $9.32
  • Indonesia: Bali Bird Park Entry Ticket: $9.55
  • Bali Scooter Guided Tours: $9.99
  • Backlanes and Hidden Sites: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Seminyak: $9.99
  • Jatiluwih's Rice Field Terraces: A Scenic Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Tour in Bali's Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Complex: $9.99
  • Sea to Summit Trekking Adventure on Mount Agung: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ubud $6.62
    Khao Sok National Park $6.50


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

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