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

Should you visit Pai or Bangalore?

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 Bangalore. 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 Bangalore?

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.

Bangalore

Bangalore is the capital city of the state of Karnataka, in India. It's also India's third largest city with a population of about 8.5 million. It's considered one of the most liveable cities in the country and was historically known for its many gardens and lush green spaces. Today those areas are all but gone, having given way to the growing population and sprawling metropolises. Bangalore is also the information technology hub of the country and is sometimes referred to as India's Silicon Valley.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, and The Best Luxury Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Bangalore or Pai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $88, while the average daily cost in Bangalore is $47. 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 Bangalore in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pai $16
    Bangalore $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pai $32
    Bangalore $36
Compare Hotels in Pai and Bangalore

Looking for a hotel in Pai or Bangalore? 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 Bangalore


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pai $41
    Bangalore $8.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangalore

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

  • Wild Life Jeep Safari Tour at Bannerghatta with Private Transfer: $71
  • Vineyard Tour to Beautiful Nandi Hills including Wine Tasting & Private Transfer: $238
  • Private Departure Transfer: Bangalore Hotels to Bengaluru International Airport: $75
  • Private Departure Transfer from City Hotel to Bengaluru Airport - 10PM to 6AM: $52
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bengaluru International Airport to Bangalore Hotels: $84
  • Bengaluru to Bengaluru Airport (BLR) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
  • Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru Arrival Transfer: $37
  • Bengaluru City to Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR)- Departure Private Transfer: $41
  • Bengaluru Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru Round-Trip Transfer: $75
  • Bengaluru Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
  • Bangalore Airport (BLR) Private Transfer to Bangalore City/Hotels: $32
  • Bangalore - private arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $58

Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Bangalore?

Prices for flights to both Bangalore 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 $41
    Bangalore $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangalore

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

  • Pop-Up Dinner in Bangalore with Focus on Sustainable Food: $22
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $45
  • Traditional Gowda Cooking Class and Meal in a Bangalore Home: $59
  • Discover Bangalore's Cuisine: Private Half-Day Cooking Experience: $60
  • Private In-Home Cooking Demonstration and Meal in Bangalore: $68
  • Private South Indian Cooking Class in Bangalore with a Local: $78
  • Private Bengaluru Food Walking Tour with Dinner: $99
  • Private Cooking and Dining Experience in Bengaluru: $100
  • Cooking experience in Bangalore, a half day tour: $115
  • Authentic Indian Cooking Class: $149

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pai $45
    Bangalore $9.71

Tours and Activities in Bangalore

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

  • (Mysuru) Mysore Day Out - A Royal Experience Private Tour from Bangalore: $125
  • 2 day Motorcycle tour from Bangalore to Belur, Halebid & Shravanabelagola: $288
  • 3 Days Taj Mahal Tour From Bengaluru to Agra: $64
  • 8-Hour Custom Private Tour of Bengaluru: $150
  • Art & Craft Tour of Bangalore: $98
  • Authentic Shopping Experience in Bangalore for Souvenirs & Gifts: $38
  • Bangalore Basavanagudi Heritage Self Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
  • Bangalore City Tour (Lunch, Pick up & drop at hotel): $100
  • Bangalore City Tour Full-Day Private: $204
  • Bangalore Discovery: Full-Day Private Guided City Tour: $80
  • Bangalore Explorer: 3-Day Tour of the Garden City: $259
  • Bangalore Full Day Private City Tour: $58

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pai $14
    Bangalore $8.04

Sample the Local Flavors in Bangalore

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bangalore:

  • Pub Crawl Bangalore: $35
  • Bengaluru Pub Crawler - Nightlife Walking Tour: $89
  • Brews of Bengaluru- Pub Crawl: $95
  • Bangalore Wine Trails: Grover Zampa Vineyard & Wine Tasting: $161


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Bangalore, we can see that Pai is more expensive. And not only is Bangalore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangalore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangalore 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 Bangalore.

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