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

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

Ise

A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Ise and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

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

Ise 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 Ise or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Ise is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ise in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Sok National Park this time of the year. Ise usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during summer. Ise gets 169 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. Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ise usually receives less rain than Khao Sok National Park. Ise gets 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Ise as well as Khao Sok National Park. Many visitors come to Ise in the autumn for the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

In October, Ise is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Ise average around 17°C (63°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Ise often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Ise gets 160 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. Ise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ise usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Ise gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Khao Sok National Park and Ise are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ise 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.

Ise can be very cold during winter. Ise is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Ise averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. Ise usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during winter. Ise gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ise usually receives around the same amount of rain as Khao Sok National Park. Ise gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Khao Sok National Park and Ise during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Ise because of the beaches. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Sok National Park year-round.

In the spring, Ise is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ise in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Khao Sok National Park averages at about 29°C (83°F).

In Khao Sok National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Ise often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Ise gets 169 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. Ise usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Khao Sok National Park. Ise gets 149 mm (5.9 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 Ise