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

Should you visit Wellington or Khao Yai National Park?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Khao Yai National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Wellington or Khao Yai National Park?

Wellington

Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Wellington?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Wellington Prices
    New Zealand Prices
    Khao Yai National Park Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Wellington $124
    Khao Yai National Park $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $124, 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 Wellington and Khao Yai National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wellington $60
    Khao Yai National Park $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wellington $120
    Khao Yai National Park $82
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Khao Yai National Park

Looking for a hotel in Wellington 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.

Hotels in Wellington


Hotels in Khao Yai National Park


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: Wellington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wellington $12
    Khao Yai National Park $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington

Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $57
  • WLG Airport to City Private RoundTrip Transfer: $93
  • Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
  • Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $106
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $26
  • Private Large SUV Airport Transfers Wellington - Executive Travel: $58
  • Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $75
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Khao Yai National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park and Wellington 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
    Wellington $51
    Khao Yai National Park $33
Typical Food Prices in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner
    $8.87

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3 Hour Walking Food Tour: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wellington $16
    Khao Yai National Park $10

Tours and Activities in Wellington

For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Auckland: Wētā Workshop Unleashed Creative Classes Ticket: $38
  • Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
  • Craft beers & car museum - Half Day Tour incl beverage samples: $99
  • Craft beers & car museums - Full Day Tour incl beverage samples: $168
  • Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour : $53
  • From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $108
  • From Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour: $289
  • From Martinborough Winery Tour: $111
  • From Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Tour: $127
  • Full Day Guided Wellington Tour including Cable Car: $150
  • Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $177
  • Full Day Tour of Wellington: $177

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wellington $12
    Khao Yai National Park $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington

Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $99
  • From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $168
  • Exclusive Martinborough Wine Tour: $210
  • Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $391


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Khao Yai National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Khao Yai National Park is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive? and Is Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Wellington or Khao Yai National Park?

Wellington has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Yai National Park experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?

Both Khao Yai National Park and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Wellington is generally much colder than Khao Yai National Parkin July. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 18°C (64°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Khao Yai National Park during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. In January, Wellington usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Parkin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 315 mm (12.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Wellington 18°C (64°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Khao Yai National Park in the Autumn?

Both Khao Yai National Park and Wellington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.

Wellington is much colder than Khao Yai National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.

In Khao Yai National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Khao Yai National Parkin October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 206 hours of full sun.

Khao Yai National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wellington usually gets less rain in April than Khao Yai National Parkin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Wellington 15°C (58°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Khao Yai National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Khao Yai National Park. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Wellington is much colder than Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Yai National Park this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Khao Yai National Parkin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Wellington 10°C (49°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Khao Yai National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Khao Yai National Park. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Yai National Park throughout the year.

In October, Wellington is generally much colder than Khao Yai National Parkin April. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 13°C (55°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 30°C (87°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. In the spring, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Khao Yai National Parkin April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 262 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Khao Yai National Park. Wellington usually gets less rain in October than Khao Yai National Parkin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 128 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Wellington 13°C (55°F) 
    Khao Yai National Park 30°C (87°F)

Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Wellington

Wellington Khao Yai National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 30°C (86°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 30°C (87°F) 128 mm (5.1 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 30°C (85°F) 225 mm (8.8 in)
Jun 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 277 mm (10.9 in)
Jul 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 315 mm (12.4 in)
Aug 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 385 mm (15.1 in)
Sep 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 360 mm (14.2 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Nov 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)