Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Auckland?
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 Auckland. 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 Auckland?
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.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Auckland $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $139. 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 Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Auckland $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Auckland $176
Compare Hotels in Pai and Auckland
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Auckland? 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: Pai Hotel Prices and Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Auckland $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.51
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Auckland Port to Auckland Airport (AKL): $55
- Private Transfer from Auckland City to Auckland Cruise Port: $39
- Private Transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Tauranga Port: $145
- Private Transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland Port: $55
- Private Transfer North Shore or Henderson to Auckland Airport AKL by Luxury Car: $112
- Private Transfer From Cruise Ships To Auckland Airport : $121
- Private Transfer From Auckland CBD Hotels To Cruise Ship: $72
- Private Luxury Transfers from Auckland Airport TO Auckland Hotels: $145
- Private Auckland Airport Transfer to/from Auckland Hotels - Van: $109
- Premium Auckland Airport Transfer: $84
- Luxury Airport transfers in Auckland : $139
- Luxury Airport Transfers Auckland : $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland 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
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Food Meals for one dayPai $21Auckland $27
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink: $89
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $90
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Auckland $27
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 Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$120
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Tour to Lucas Creek Waterfall: $66
- 4 Hours Private Tour in Auckland : $241
- 6 Hours Sightseeing Tour in Auckland: $127
- Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $112
- All Auckland City Hotels to Cruise Ship / Port: $48
- America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour: $113
- Auckland Best Top 5 Spots Half day Tour small group : $115
- Auckland Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $66
- Auckland City & West Coast Luxury Tour: $205
- Auckland City Highlights Experience - Fully Guided Small Group Day Tour: $196
- Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour: $95
- Auckland City Highlights and Hidden Gems Half Day Tour: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Auckland $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Wine Tour Tasting Wines on Waiheke: $92
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $106
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $131
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $148
- Waiheke Island: Tour with Wine Tastings and Restaurant Lunch: $148
- From Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $151
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $169
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $172
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $178
- Auckland Coastal Experience - Small Group City & Beach Tour Incl. Wine Tasting: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pai is in Asia and Auckland 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 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Auckland?
Auckland 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 Auckland in the Summer?
Both Auckland 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, many visitors come to Auckland in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pai is a little warmer than Auckland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Auckland averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Auckland. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Auckland during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Aucklandin January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Auckland 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Pai or Auckland in the Autumn?
Both Auckland 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Auckland for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Aucklandin April. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Aucklandin April. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 162 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Aucklandin April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Auckland 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Pai or Auckland in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Auckland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Auckland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Pai is much warmer than Auckland in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Auckland fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in July.
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Auckland during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.
Auckland receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Aucklandin July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Auckland 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Pai or Auckland in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Auckland. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Auckland this time of year.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Auckland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Auckland averages at about 14°C (58°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the spring, Pai often gets more sunshine than Aucklandin October. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 192 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in April than Aucklandin October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Auckland 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Auckland and Pai
| Pai | Auckland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
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.