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

Should you visit Pai or Atami?

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 Atami. 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 Atami?

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.

Atami

Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Pai or Atami?

Atami has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Pai or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pai is a little warmer than Atami. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Atami averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Pai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atami during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atami. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pai or Atami in the Autumn?

Both Atami and Pai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Atami. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets less rain in October than Atami. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pai or Atami in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pai is much warmer than Atami in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Atami during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Atami. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pai or Atami in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Atami. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Atami in the spring for the beaches.

The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Atami averages at about 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the spring, Pai often gets more sunshine than Atami. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Atami. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atami and Pai