Which place is cheaper, Ayutthaya or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Ayutthaya?
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 Ayutthaya. 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 Ayutthaya?
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.
Ayutthaya
Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Ayutthaya $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Ayutthaya is $62. 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 Ayutthaya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Ayutthaya $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Ayutthaya $42
Compare Hotels in Pai and Ayutthaya
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Ayutthaya? 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 Ayutthaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Ayutthaya $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $71
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $133
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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River Ferry Crossing$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ayutthaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ayutthaya:
- Transfer from Bangkok: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Ayutthaya?
Prices for flights to both Ayutthaya 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 $21Ayutthaya $20
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Lunch for 2$3.82
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Ice Cream$0.82
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Breakfast for 2$3.82
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Breakfast for 2$9.55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ayutthaya
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ayutthaya.
- Bangkok: VELA Dinner Cruise Ticket: $19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Ayutthaya $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: $6.79
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:
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Temple Entrances (2)$5.46
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Wat Entrance$1.36
Tours and Activities in Ayutthaya
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ayutthaya are as follows:
- Ayutthaya 1-day Private Tour : UNESCO World Heritage Site: $141
- Ayutthaya City and Historical Park Bike Tour: $35
- Ayutthaya’s Heritage Revealed A Day Tour from Bangkok: $630
- Ancient City Temple Tour: $163
- Bangkok: City Highlights, Temple, and Market Walking Tour: $77
- Colors of UNESCO Heritage 6 hour Bicycle Tour: $54
- Day out to Ayutthaya with return Grand Pearl River Cruise: $71
- From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Day Tour Small Group: $57
- From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Full Day Private Guided Tour: $346
- From Bangkok: Tour Ayutthaya + Lunch + Spanish guide: $147
- The Incredible Ayutthaya Ancient Temple Tour: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Ayutthaya $18
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Ayutthaya, we can see that Pai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Ayutthaya Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Ayutthaya?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Pai or Ayutthaya in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Ayutthaya. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Ayutthaya. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Ayutthaya. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 176 hours of full sun.
Pai is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Ayutthaya 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Pai or Ayutthaya in the Autumn?
Both Ayutthaya and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ayutthaya. It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Ayutthaya. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Ayutthaya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Ayutthaya during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Pai is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Ayutthaya averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Ayutthaya 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pai or Ayutthaya in the Winter?
Both Ayutthaya and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.
Pai usually gets more rain in January than Ayutthaya. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Ayutthaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ayutthaya receives 276 hours of full sun.
In January, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Ayutthaya. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Ayutthaya 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Pai or Ayutthaya in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Ayutthaya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Ayutthaya. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ayutthaya receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ayutthaya this time of the year. In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ayutthaya during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Ayutthaya receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Ayutthaya. It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is around the same temperature as Ayutthaya in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Ayutthaya fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Ayutthaya 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Ayutthaya and Pai
| Pai | Ayutthaya | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 292 mm (11.5 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 13 mm (0.5 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.