A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Khao Lak vs. Tiger Leaping Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Khao Lak or Tiger Leaping Gorge?

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 Tiger Leaping Gorge 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 Tiger Leaping Gorge?

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.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

One of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge gets its name from legend, where a tiger used a great rock in the center of the gorge as a stepping stone to leap from one side to the other. It is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery on either side with the Yangtze River rushing down through its center. Visitors come to Tiger Leaping Gorge to hike and witness its natural beauty.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.


Which place is cheaper, Tiger Leaping Gorge 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.

  • Khao Lak Prices
    Thailand Prices
    Tiger Leaping Gorge Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Khao Lak $155
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $54

The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $155, while the average daily cost in Tiger Leaping Gorge is $54. 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 Tiger Leaping Gorge in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Khao Lak $59
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Khao Lak $118
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $26
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Tiger Leaping Gorge

Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak or Tiger Leaping Gorge? 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 Khao Lak


Hotels in Tiger Leaping Gorge


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Khao Lak $60
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:

  • 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $73
  • 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $48
  • Carnival Magic Phuket Show Ticket with Transfer from Khao Lak: $97
  • Khao Lak River Tubing with Music, Drink, and Transfer: $95
  • Khao Lak any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $198
  • Private Transfer Between Ko Lanta and Khao Lak: $242
  • Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $110
  • Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $51
  • Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $137
  • Transfer Service from Khao Lak Hotel to Krabi / Aonang: $119
  • Transfer from Khao Lak Hotel to Phuket Airport: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Tiger Leaping Gorge?

Prices for flights to both Tiger Leaping Gorge 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Khao Lak $61
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $28

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Khao Lak $22
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $15

Tours and Activities in Khao Lak

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

  • Khao Lak Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Conservation Experience: $25
  • Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $43
  • Guide Tour to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary in Small Group: $52
  • 1-Hour Guided Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary Observation Tour: $57
  • Sky Rock Khaolak Jungle Adventure: $68
  • Historical And Cultural Day Tour To Takuapa Old Town From Khao Lak: $69
  • Full-Day Temple Tour Including Dragon Cave from Khao Lak: $76
  • James Bond Island Adventure Tour from Khao Lak including Sea Canoeing & Lunch: $77
  • Khao Lak Eco Exploration Raft Ride & Discover Tour: $80
  • Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary Visit & River Tubing Tour: $80
  • 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $80
  • Half day Bamboo Rafting Tour with Lunch: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Khao Lak $15
    Tiger Leaping Gorge $6.46


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

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 Tiger Leaping Gorge Expensive?.


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