How much does it cost to travel to Pai?
You should plan to spend around $66 (฿2,343) per day on your vacation in Pai. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $22 (฿772) on meals
- $38 (฿1,351) on local transportation
- $29 (฿1,027) on hotels
A one week trip to Pai for two people costs, on average, $920 (฿32,800). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Pai has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Pai expensive to visit?
Pai is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Thailand, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Asia, Pai is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Jakarta or Hangzhou.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Pai Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Pai?
The average Pai trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Pai travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
฿1,027
($29)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
฿1,351
($38)
|
Food 2
|
฿772
($22)
|
Entertainment 1
|
฿1,480
($42)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
฿13 -
38
($0 - 1)
|
Alcohol 2
|
฿238 -
714
($7 - 20)
|
Accommodation Budget in Pai
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Pai is $14 (฿514). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Pai is $29 (฿1,027). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Pai? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Pai
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Pai is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 (฿1,351) per person, per day, on local transportation in Pai.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$38
฿1,351
How much does it cost to go to Pai? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Pai will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Pai
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Pai can vary, the average cost of food in Pai is $22 (฿772) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Pai should cost around $8.66 (฿309) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Pai is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$22
฿772
Entertainment Budget in Pai
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Pai typically cost an average of $42 (฿1,480) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$42
฿1,480
Tips and Handouts Budget in Pai
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Pai
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $13 (฿476) on alcoholic beverages in Pai per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$13
฿476
Water Budget in Pai
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.25 (฿8.75) on bottled water in Pai per day. The public water in Pai is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.25
฿8.75
Pai On a Budget
Pai, Thailand
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
Sights
If you are looking to gaze upon the wondrousness of Mother Nature, look no further than the famous Pai, Thailand. One of the most popular attractions includes the Pai Canyon, located on route 1095, not far from the World War II Memorial Bridge in Ban Rong Yang village. This amazing site can be easily reached by rented moped/car or tuk tuk ride, with admission being completely free. Once you have parked in the designated parking lot, take a climb up a 300 mt paved stairway to find a variety of hiking options to discover Pai Canyon's distinguished beauty. The best times to enjoy this hike, nevertheless, range from early morning to late afternoon, when the climate seems most temperate.
After finishing an amazing hike from Pai Canyon, you will be surprised to find that Pam Bok Waterfall is located on your way back to town. Just as easily accessible as Pai Canyon, head south on route 1095 towards Chiang Mai and turn right to follow the signs for Pam Bok Waterfall. You will find Pam Bok to be characterized by a peaceful serenity as you listen to the crash of gliding water falling from its peak. Though the water is a bit brown and murky, it can be enjoyable for a quick swim.
If you find yourself getting a little hungry on your way to/from Pam Bok Waterfall, feel free to stop by the Land Split, where a friendly farmer will welcome you with Thailand's freshest fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other delicacies at his stand right outside his farm. After refreshing oneself with a cool beverage in his complimentary hammocks, you may be curious to venture to the Split itself. Prior to becoming the Split, this land was simply a soy farm. However, in 2008, the land spontaneously cracked without any cause from flooding, earthquake, or storm. The land cracked 2 meters wide and 11 meters deep, causing the farmer's land to be transformed into one of Pai's most happening tourist destinations.
Despite the many adventures that can come from the town, Pai is just as much known for its excitement as it is for its relaxation. Located in the
Huai Nam Dang National Park, just two kilometers off route 1095, the Pai Hot Springs reside. The pool is usually around 80-degrees Celsius and is known for its surrounding forests to be buzzing to life with local wild animals. If you are somewhat on the more venturesome side, feel free to camp there!
Another great activity near Pai is walking along the
Pai Bamboo Bridge Trail, which is highly recommended and fairly easy for anyone.
And if you're looking for a great day of fun on the river, don't miss
a "Tipsy Tubing" rafting trip on the river. You'll meet plenty of other travelers and see some amazing scenery while partaking in plenty of drinking, too.
Food and Dining
Nevertheless, the 360-panoramic views found on Pai Canyon are just as beloved as the food found within the village. The Om Garden Cafe located on Wiang Tai offers a cheap, friendly environment for all types of eaters, especially vegans and vegetarians. The menu works to bring the magic of Asian cuisine to life, only using the freshest ingredients from Thailand. Noted as quite popular amongst tourists, the interior design of the cafe is very much influenced by the Buddhist currents found throughout Thailand. The Om Garden Cafe welcome walk-ins and accepts take-out, but be sure to bring your baht as this is a cash-only restaurant.
If you yearn for a more elegant method of dining, check out Le Reve de Pai, Pai's first and only wine house. Though wine delivery is available, don't hesitate to venture beyond your hotel room to visit this chic establishment. Open from 5 PM to 11 PM, be sure you don't miss the live entertainment and local artworks within the house as you sip upon your drinks and enjoy the small tapas style plates.
Check out
plenty of other amazing restaurants in Pai here. Vegan options are also plentiful in the area.
Transportation
If you are curious as to how you are going to be able to visit all these neat destinations, a rental car or moped can suffice quite satisfactorily, with the price sufficiently placed around 120 baht. You can rent both vehicles along Pai's main shopping street. For those seeking to rent a moped, though a helmet is included, be sure to pay for full insurance of the bicycle. As well, be careful to check the weather as the rental moped companies will not hesitate to have you pay for any damage that coincides with your gorgeous ride around Pai.
If you are looking to explore lands beyond Pai, such as Mae Hong Son or Chiang Mai, using a bus or mini-van is a cheaper alternative. Buses leave usually every two hours, but try to get to the bus station early in order to get a good seat. Halfway through your trip, the bus will stop for a snack/break, so have your money handy! However, during tourist season, it may be more practical to take advantage of Pai's mini-vans. Though quicker and more expensive, travelers get the ease of having a seat to themselves and a completely operational air conditioner. It is all up to you in the stunning town of Pai!
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.