Which place is cheaper, Bangkok or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Bangkok?
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 Bangkok. 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 Bangkok?
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.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, and The Best Nightlife Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $72Bangkok $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $72, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $86. 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 Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Bangkok $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Bangkok $94
Compare Hotels in Pai and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Bangkok? 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 Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Bangkok $6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $148
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $148
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $166
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $139
- Chiang Mai: One-way Transfer to/from Pai by Private Car: $122
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $208
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $78
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $166
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.47
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Skytrain Ticket$4.94
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.99
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Ferry Ride$0.80
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Taxi From Airport$7.72
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Short Taxi Ride$2.78
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Boat Taxi$1.54
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Trains to airport$4.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- oneway transfer service Bangkok-Hua hin: $77
- Wat Pho The Reclining Buddha Ticket with Transfer in Bangkok: $27
- Tuk-tuk tour Bangkok by Night with Chinatown meal and hotel transfers: $61
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Hua Hin APT-HTL (BKK): $71
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok HTL- APT(BKK): $19
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok APT-HTL (BKK): $19
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya APT-HTL (DMK): $67
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Hua Hin APT-HTL (DMK): $71
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Pattaya: $65
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to HuaHin: $82
- Transfer from DMK Donmuaeng International Airport to BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport: $33
- Transfer from Bangkok Airport to Pranburi: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok 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 $24Bangkok $21
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.18
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.39
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.93
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.18
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Pad Thai$2.16
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $21
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Dinner or Lunch & Thai Massage: $23
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $24
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $26
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $26
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $27
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $27
- Royal Princess Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $30
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $30
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $30
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Bangkok $18
Tours and Activities in Pai
For Pai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jungle Ziplining Adventure with 16 Platforms: $36
- Ultimate Ziplining Adventure through the Jungle: $50
- From Sunrise Private Tour Jabo Viewpoint & Nam Lod Cave: $97
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour: $103
- From Chiang Mai: Day Tour to Pai Highlights by Private Car: $163
- Mae Hong Son Highlights - Full Day Private Car Tour: $179
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.94
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.54
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.18
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$74
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Fish Pedicure$4.63
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.09
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Day in Ayutthaya: Private 5 UNESCO Temples Tour From Bangkok: $119
- Ayutthaya Historic Park Group Tour from Bangkok: $65
- Bangkok 4 Hour Cultural & Temples Tour Private with Guide: $97
- Bangkok Sea Life + Madame Tussauds Entrance Tickets : $51
- Bangkok Thrilling Tuk Tuk Tour (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- Maeklong Railway & Floating Market Tour (Private & All-Inclusive): $146
- Sunset Sail, Glittering Temspls at Afternoon Ayutthaya Tours : $53
- Tuk-Tuk Tour Bangkok By Night With Chinatown Street: $70
- 'Sunset Cruise' Canal Boat Tour - Fully guided 3hrs: $82
- "Bangkok Walking Hopping Tour" show city’s historic sights are located.: $74
- (Join Tour) BANGKOK 'S 2 HOURS CANAL TOUR: $86
- 1-hour Bangkok Old City NIGHT Tour on Private TUK TUK: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Bangkok $6.76
Sample the Local Flavors in Pai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pai:
- Pai Pub Crawl: The Best Nightlife in Town!: $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Bangkok After Dark: Pub Crawl Adventure: $23
- Pub Crawl: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Bangkok, we can see that Bangkok 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok 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 Bangkok Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Bangkok?
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 Bangkok in the Summer?
Both Bangkok and Pai during the summer 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 Bangkok year-round.
Bangkok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Bangkok. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Bangkok. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bangkok receives 176 hours of full sun.
Pai is around the same temperature as Bangkok in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Bangkok fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Bangkok 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Pai or Bangkok in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Bangkok. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok. Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Bangkok. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bangkok this time of the year. In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Bangkok during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Bangkok receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Pai is around the same temperature as Bangkok. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Bangkok averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Bangkok 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Pai or Bangkok in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pai as well as Bangkok. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. Pai usually gets more rain in January than Bangkok. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the winter, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bangkok. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bangkok receives 276 hours of full sun.
In January, Pai is generally cooler than Bangkok. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Bangkok fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Bangkok 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Pai or Bangkok in the Spring?
Both Bangkok and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Bangkok is May to October. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Bangkok. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Bangkok. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bangkok during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Bangkok receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is around the same temperature as Bangkok in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Bangkok fluctuates around 31°C (87°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Bangkok 31°C (87°F)
Typical Weather for Bangkok and Pai
| Pai | Bangkok | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.