Which place is cheaper, Paihia or Nakhon Ratchasima?
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 Nakhon Ratchasima or Paihia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Paihia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nakhon Ratchasima or Paihia?
Nakhon Ratchasima
If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.
Paihia
Paihia is a town on the North Island of New Zealand in the Bay of Islands region. It is about a three hours north of Auckland by car. For those visiting the Bay of Islands, it is the main town in the area and is located near the town of Russell and Kerikeri. There is a wharf in town where most ships depart from if you are planning on going out to explore the Bay of Islands. Paihia is a very small town with a population of about 1800 people. There is a fair climate all year round with temperatures ranging from sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Nakhon Ratchasima Prices
Thailand PricesPaihia Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNakhon Ratchasima $58Paihia $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $58, while the average daily cost in Paihia is $99. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Paihia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNakhon Ratchasima $22Paihia $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNakhon Ratchasima $44Paihia $66
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Paihia
Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima or Paihia? 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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices and Paihia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $5.19Paihia $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.57
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Bus to Vientiane$1.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paihia
Also for Paihia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bay Of Islands - Airport Transfers: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Paihia?
Prices for flights to both Paihia and Nakhon Ratchasima 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 dayNakhon Ratchasima $30Paihia $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $6.68Paihia $34
Tours and Activities in Paihia
For Paihia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adrenalin Junkie Tour - 60 mins (min 2): $140
- *Popular Tour* - Bay of Islands: Nature Adventure - 4hrs: $143
- 1 Hour Scenic Bay of Islands Tour: $30
- 3 Hours // Hole in the Rock Cruise & Bay of Islands Tour: $87
- Bay Combo Tour - 60 mins (min 2): $140
- Bay of Islands - Explorer Tour: $136
- Bay of Islands - Mini Tour (75-90 mins): $44
- Bay of Islands - Mini Tour: (75-90mins): $45
- Bay of Islands 2-Hour Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise: $56
- Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel, Hike,Swim,Wildlife: $95
- Bay of Islands Scenic Tour : $65
- Bay of Islands Waterfall Explorer Kayaking Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $12Paihia $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Paihia, we can see that Paihia is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nakhon Ratchasima is in Asia and Paihia is in Pacific, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Paihia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paihia than you might in Nakhon Ratchasima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive? and Is Paihia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Paihia?
Paihia has a larger population, and is about 1940 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima and Paihia, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.