Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Khao Lak?
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 Khao Lak or Khao Yai 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 Khao Lak and Khao Yai 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: Khao Lak or Khao Yai National Park?
Khao Lak
Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.
Khao Yai National Park
Adventurous travelers are always in search of new terrain to conquer. At over 2,000 square kilometers, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, and just full of jungles to trek through. In the southwest of Thailand is a sanctuary of mountains and waterfalls.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.
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Khao Lak Prices
Thailand PricesKhao Yai National Park Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKhao Lak $155Khao Yai National Park $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $155, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $85. 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 Khao Lak and Khao Yai National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKhao Lak $59Khao Yai National Park $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKhao Lak $118Khao Yai National Park $82
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Khao Yai National Park
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak or Khao Yai 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Khao Lak Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Khao Lak $60Khao Yai National Park $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
- Transfer from Khao Lak Hotel to Phuket Airport: $75
- Transfer Service from Khao Lak Hotel to Krabi / Aonang: $119
- Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $137
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $51
- Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $110
- Private Transfer Between Ko Lanta and Khao Lak: $242
- Khao Lak any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $198
- Khao Lak River Tubing with Music, Drink, and Transfer: $95
- Carnival Magic Phuket Show Ticket with Transfer from Khao Lak: $97
- 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $48
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Khao Yai National Park?
Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park and Khao Lak 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 dayKhao Lak $61Khao Yai National Park $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
- Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak by Amazon Prime Series Chef: $59
- Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $65
- Khao Lak Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour & Your Own Menu: $89
- Authentic Thai Cooking in Khao Lak – Market Tour & Flexible Menu: $89
- Khao Sok Local Life Adventure & Traditional Cooking Class: $102
- ATV Quad Bike Excursion to Stunning Waterfalls with Dinner: $111
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Khao Lak $22Khao Yai National Park $10
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Guided Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary Observation Tour: $57
- 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $80
- ATV Adventure: Khao Lak’s Best Off-Road Experience: $127
- Adventure Off Road Safari to Khao Lak National Park: $110
- Bamboo & Phi Phi Islands, Maya & Pileh Bay Day Tour From Khao Lak: $118
- Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $43
- Cheow Lan Lake with Nam Rad Emerald Pool Tour from Khao Lak: $138
- From Khao Lak : Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip with Lunch: $118
- Full Day 3 Spiritual Temple Tour with Lunch from Khao Lak: $83
- Full Day Phang Nga Bay Highlights Tour: $93
- Full-Day Rescued Elephant Walk with Guide Tour in Khaolak: $156
- Full-Day Similan island Snorking Tour By Speed Boat from Khao Lak: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKhao Lak $15Khao Yai National Park $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Khao Lak and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. And not only is Khao Yai National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Khao Yai National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Khao Yai 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 Khao Lak would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Lak than you might in Khao Yai National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Khao Lak Expensive? and Is Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Khao Lak or Khao Yai National Park?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Khao Lak or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Khao Lak as well as Khao Yai National Park. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Yai National Park throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Khao Yai National Park. Khao Lak receives a lot of rain in the summer. Khao Lak usually gets less rain in July than Khao Yai National Park. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 315 mm (12.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Lak this time of the year. In the summer, Khao Lak often gets more sunshine than Khao Yai National Park. Khao Lak gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 176 hours of full sun.
Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKhao Lak 28°C (82°F)Khao Yai National Park 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Khao Yai National Park in the Autumn?
Both Khao Yai National Park and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Khao Lak is November to April. The rainy season in Khao Lak is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. It's quite rainy in Khao Lak. In October, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Khao Yai National Park. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Khao Yai National Park. Khao Lak usually receives less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park during autumn. Khao Lak gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Khao Lak in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKhao Lak 27°C (81°F)Khao Yai National Park 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Khao Yai National Park in the Winter?
Both Khao Yai National Park and Khao Lak during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.
Khao Lak usually gets more rain in January than Khao Yai National Park. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Khao Yai National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Khao Lak. In the winter, Khao Lak often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Yai National Park. Khao Lak gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 276 hours of full sun.
In January, Khao Lak is generally around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 27°C (80°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKhao Lak 27°C (80°F)Khao Yai National Park 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Khao Yai National Park in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Khao Yai National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak. Khao Yai National Park receives a lot of rain in the spring. Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Khao Yai National Park. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 128 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Yai National Park this time of the year. In Khao Lak, it's very sunny this time of the year. Khao Lak usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Yai National Park during spring. Khao Lak gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.
Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 30°C (87°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKhao Lak 29°C (83°F)Khao Yai National Park 30°C (87°F)
Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Khao Lak
| Khao Lak | Khao Yai National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 225 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 277 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 315 mm (12.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 385 mm (15.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.