Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pai or Byron Bay?
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 Byron Bay. 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 Byron Bay?
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.
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesByron Bay Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Byron Bay $175
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $175. 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 Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Byron Bay $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Byron Bay $134
Compare Hotels in Pai and Byron Bay
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Byron Bay? 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 Byron Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Byron Bay $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay 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 $42Byron Bay $83
Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.
- Bangalow Native Bush Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Byron Bay $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$124
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Surf Lesson$43
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- Tandem Skydive Experience : $288
- Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $147
- Brisbane: Byron Bay Day Tour - Lighthouse Sunset & The Farm: $125
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Byron Bay Dolphin Tour - Ocean Safari: $64
- Byron Bay Half-Day Tour: $65
- Byron Bay Lighthouse Aboriginal Tour: $65
- Byron Bay Lighthouse Aboriginal Tour: $67
- Byron Bay Private Bike Tour : $50
- Byron Bay Wild Koala Tour: $85
- Byron Bay and Burleigh Heads Private Tour from Brisbane: $959
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Byron Bay $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $99
- Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $104
- Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $136
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Byron Bay?
Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Byron Bay. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pai is a little warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Pai or Byron Bay in the Autumn?
Both Byron Bay and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.
In October, Pai is generally a little warmer than Byron Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)
Should I visit Pai or Byron Bay in the Winter?
Both Byron Bay 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. Also, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Pai is much warmer than Byron Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in July.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Pai or Byron Bay in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Byron Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Byron Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 19°C (67°F)in October.
In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Pai
| Pai | Byron Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 32 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.