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

Should you visit Beijing 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 Beijing 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: Beijing or Khao Sok National Park?

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.

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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.


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

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Beijing Prices
    China Prices
    Khao Sok National Park Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Beijing $91
    Khao Sok National Park $126

The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $91, 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 Beijing and Khao Sok National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beijing $40
    Khao Sok National Park $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beijing $80
    Khao Sok National Park $56
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Khao Sok National Park

Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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 Beijing


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beijing $7.83
    Khao Sok National Park $74
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:


  • Taxi
    $4.78
  • Train from Airport for Two
    $7.01
  • Taxi to Hotel
    $8.41
  • 2 Metro Passes
    $2.24
  • Metro
    $0.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:

  • Private Transfers for City, Suburbs & Airport/Train: $1.46
  • Beijing Great Wall Badaling or Mutianyu with Transfer[Optional]: $12
  • Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
  • From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $19
  • Beijing Private Railway Station Arrival/Departure Transfers: $20
  • Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Sightseeing Full-day Bus Transfer: $20
  • Beijing Airport:Private One-Way Transfer from Beijing City Center: $20
  • Beijing Daxing International Airport shuttle bus transfer service: $20
  • Afternoon Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
  • Mutianyu Great Wall Round-Trip Transfer with Driver & Ticket: $20
  • Morning Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
  • Beijing Airport Transfer: $21

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

Prices for flights to both Khao Sok National Park and Beijing 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
    Beijing $34
    Khao Sok National Park $52
Typical Food Prices in Beijing

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:


  • Popcorn
    $0.84
  • Hot Pot Dinner
    $7.01
  • Dumpling Breakfast for Two
    $2.80
  • Watermelon
    $1.96
  • Peking Duck Dinner for 2
    $17
  • Two Popsicles
    $0.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing

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

  • Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
  • Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
  • Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
  • Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
  • China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
  • Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
  • Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
  • Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
  • Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $70
  • Beijing Hidden Hutong Bike & Food Tour - Pro Photos Included: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beijing $24
    Khao Sok National Park $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing

Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Summer Palace for Two
    $8.41
  • Two Opera Tickets
    $60
  • Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)
    $9.81
  • Forbidden City (for 2)
    $17
  • Forbidden City Tickets
    $17
  • Audio Guides at Forbidden City
    $11

Tours and Activities in Beijing

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

  • Capital Museum tour includes Ticket: $2.78
  • Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.92
  • Beijing:Tiananmen Square tickets with guide(optional): $3.19
  • Forbidden City Walking Guided Tour w/ Entry Tickets: $3.60
  • Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.79
  • Tiananmen Square - Registration Ticket: $3.79
  • Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Jingshan Park Ticket or Tours: $4.00
  • Beijing Forbidden City,Tianmen Square Admission Tickets: $4.00
  • Tickets to all Beijing attractions (Forbidden City optional): $4.21
  • Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square Walking Tour: $4.38
  • Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours: $4.38
  • The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket: $4.38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beijing $12
    Khao Sok National Park $6.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:

  • Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
  • Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $158
  • 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
  • Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
  • Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.

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



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

Beijing 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 Beijing or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Khao Sok National Park. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Sok National Park this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

Khao Sok National Park receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Beijing 27°C (80°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 28°C (82°F)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Khao Sok National Park. Many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

In the autumn, Beijing is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Beijing 14°C (56°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 27°C (81°F)

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

Both Khao Sok National Park and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Sok National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Beijing can be very cold during winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Beijing -4°C (26°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 27°C (80°F)

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

Both Khao Sok National Park and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

Beijing is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In Khao Sok National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun.

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Khao Sok National Park. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Beijing 14°C (57°F) 
    Khao Sok National Park 29°C (83°F)

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Beijing

Beijing Khao Sok National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (26°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -1°C (30°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 26 mm (1 in) 29°C (83°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 345 mm (13.6 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 286 mm (11.3 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 284 mm (11.2 in)
Aug 25°C (78°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 272 mm (10.7 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 417 mm (16.4 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 351 mm (13.8 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
Dec -1°C (29°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)