A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pai vs. Agra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pai or Agra?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pai and Agra. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Pai or Agra?

Pai

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.

Agra

In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.

While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Agra or Pai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Agra is $44. 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 Pai and Agra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pai $14
    Agra $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pai $28
    Agra $32
Compare Hotels in Pai and Agra

Looking for a hotel in Pai or Agra? 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 Pai


Hotels in Agra


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: Pai Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pai $37
    Agra $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai

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

  • Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
  • Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
  • Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
  • Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
  • Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
  • Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

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

  • Vrindavan to Delhi private transfer: $28
  • Visit to Jaipur 's Chokhi Dhani Tour on Agra to Jaipur Transfer: $74
  • Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
  • Transfer from Agra to New Delhi by Private Car: $60
  • Transfer from Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Shikri and Abhaneri: $106
  • Transfer from Agra to Jaipur by Private Car: $91
  • Transfer from Agra To Jaipur Via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $90
  • Transfer Agra To Jaipur Via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $60
  • Sunrise Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Half-Day Tour with Transfer: $5.40
  • Smooth Departure Transfer by Car from Agra to Lucknow: $100
  • Round Trip Transfers to Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation, Agra: $15
  • Round Trip Transfers Between Agra Hotels & Agra Airport AGR: $6.14

Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Agra?

Prices for flights to both Agra and Pai 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
    Pai $21
    Agra $16

Typical Food Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $2.15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

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

  • Agra best Cooking class after Taj Mahal: $6.00
  • Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk: $12
  • Home Hosted Luch or dinner by Indian local Family: $18
  • Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
  • Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra Including Lunch or Dinner: $20
  • Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $22
  • Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family: $23
  • Old City Food Tour with Local Guide and Tastings: $23
  • The Spirit of Agra - Old Market Walking and Food Tour: $26
  • Cooking classes Tour Including Pickup And Dropping To Hotel: $28
  • Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $30
  • Agra's best cooking classes: $31

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pai $40
    Agra $20

Tours and Activities in Pai

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

  • Jungle Tipsy Tubing Experience with Shots: $6.76

Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra

For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entry to the Red Fort for Two
    $7.18
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $18

Tours and Activities in Agra

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.

  • Agra Local Tour with Taj Mahal : $30
  • Jaipur Overnight Tour from Agra : $300
  • Private 6 Hours: Agra Temples and Spiritual Sites Tour: $38
  • Private Agra Local Sightseeing Tour: $47
  • Private Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour: $42
  • Taj Mahal Sunrise & Agra Fort Private Tour - All Inclusive: $21
  • 06 Hours Agra City Tour - Private: $85
  • 08 Days Taj Mahal Tour With Hemis National Park: $552
  • 11-Hour Agra Day Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal : $20
  • 2 Days Agra Tour with Fatehpur Sikri & Abhaneri From Jaipur: $234
  • 2 Days Tour of Taj Mahal and More - Agra Beyond Taj Mahal : $168
  • 2 Days: Taj Mahal & Jaipur Sightseeing Tour with Breakfast: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pai $13
    Agra $9.63


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Agra, we can see that Pai is more expensive. And not only is Agra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Agra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Agra 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 Pai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pai than you might in Agra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.