Which place is cheaper, Khao Sok National Park or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie 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: Zhangjiajie or Khao Sok National Park?
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
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 Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.
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Zhangjiajie Prices
China PricesKhao Sok National Park Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $79Khao Sok National Park $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $79, 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 Zhangjiajie and Khao Sok National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Khao Sok National Park $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Khao Sok National Park $56
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Khao Sok National Park
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $15Khao Sok National Park $74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $321
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Khao Sok National Park?
Prices for flights to both Khao Sok National Park and Zhangjiajie 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
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Food Meals for one dayZhangjiajie $36Khao Sok National Park $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Khao Sok National Park $33
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Zhangjiajie Pandora Tour to Avatar Hallelujah Mountain: $7.00
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Ticket Booking: $16
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance Ticket Transportation: $42
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon Tickets Booking: $48
- Exclusive VIP Zhangjiajie 4 Days and 3 Nights Private Tour: $50
- Exclusive VIP Zhangjiajie 5 Days and 4 Nights Private Tour: $50
- Charming Xiangxi Show VIP ticket with round trip transport: $52
- Fox Fairy Show VIP ticket with round trip private transport: $52
- Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Ticket Booking: $55
- One Day Mini Group Tour to Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain: $63
- Mini Group Tour: Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountains: $66
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tickets Booking: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Khao Sok National Park $6.50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zhangjiajie Expensive? and Is Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie or Khao Sok National Park?
Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?
Both Khao Sok National Park and Zhangjiajie during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.
In the summer, Zhangjiajie is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zhangjiajie in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in July than Khao Sok National Park. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Khao Sok National Park 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Zhangjiajie is generally cooler than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 19°C (65°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Khao Sok National Park 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Khao Sok National Park. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.
Zhangjiajie is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Zhangjiajie usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Khao Sok National Park. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Khao Sok National Park 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?
Both Khao Sok National Park and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Zhangjiajie is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zhangjiajie in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In April, Zhangjiajie usually receives around the same amount of rain as Khao Sok National Park. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Khao Sok National Park 29°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Khao Sok National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.