A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Busan (Pusan) vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or Khao Sok National Park?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Khao Sok National Park, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Busan (Pusan) or Khao Sok National Park?

Busan (Pusan)

An important port city in South Korea, Busan is known for its beaches, mountains, and temples. With a thriving harbor, the city's main revenue comes from international shipping, although the area is quite popular with tourists from all over the globe, too. The place is bustling with sailors from around the world as well as tourists who come to enjoy the culture of this modern and dynamic city.

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 Tours for Seniors to South Korea, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Busan (Pusan) or Khao Sok National Park?

Busan (Pusan) 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 Busan (Pusan) or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Busan (Pusan) are popular destinations to visit in the summer 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 summer, Busan (Pusan) is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Busan (Pusan) in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. Busan (Pusan) usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during summer. Busan (Pusan) gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). In July, Busan (Pusan) usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Busan (Pusan) gets 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Khao Sok National Park in the Autumn?

Both Khao Sok National Park and Busan (Pusan) during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In October, Busan (Pusan) is generally cooler than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Busan (Pusan) average around 18°C (65°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Busan (Pusan). In the autumn, Busan (Pusan) often gets more sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Busan (Pusan) gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 181 hours of full sun.

Khao Sok National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Busan (Pusan) usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Busan (Pusan) gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Khao Sok National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Busan (Pusan) and Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The weather in Busan (Pusan) can be very cold. Busan (Pusan) is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Busan (Pusan) averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Sok National Park this time of the year. In Busan (Pusan), it's very sunny this time of the year. Busan (Pusan) usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during winter. Busan (Pusan) gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Busan (Pusan) usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Busan (Pusan) gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Khao Sok National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Busan (Pusan) as well as Khao Sok National Park. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

In the spring, Busan (Pusan) is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Busan (Pusan) in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Sok National Park. In the spring, Busan (Pusan) often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Busan (Pusan) gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Sok National Park receives 249 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Khao Sok National Park. Busan (Pusan) receives a lot of rain in the spring. Busan (Pusan) usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Khao Sok National Park. Busan (Pusan) gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Khao Sok National Park and Busan (Pusan)