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

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

Matsue

Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.

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 Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, 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 Matsue and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Khao Sok National Park is more expensive. And not only is Matsue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Matsue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Matsue 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 Matsue.

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

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

Matsue 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 Matsue or Khao Sok National Park in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Matsue is around the same temperature as Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Matsue in July average around 25°C (78°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. In Matsue, it's very sunny this time of the year. Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park during summer. Matsue gets 201 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. Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Matsue usually receives around the same amount of rain as Khao Sok National Park. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Khao Sok National Park. Many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Sok National Park throughout the year.

In October, Matsue is generally much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 17°C (62°F), and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Matsue often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Sok National Park. Matsue gets 173 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. Matsue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Matsue usually gets less rain in October than Khao Sok National Park. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

Matsue can be very cold during winter. Matsue is much colder than Khao Sok National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Khao Sok National Park fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Khao Sok National Park. Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park during winter. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Sok National Park receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In January, Matsue usually receives more rain than Khao Sok National Park. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Khao Sok National Park receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

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

In the spring, Matsue is much colder than Khao Sok National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Matsue in April average around 13°C (55°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, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Khao Sok National Park. Matsue gets 194 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 Matsue. Matsue usually gets less rain in April than Khao Sok National Park. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 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 Matsue