Which place is cheaper, Christchurch or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Christchurch?
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 Christchurch. 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 Christchurch?
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.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Christchurch $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Christchurch is $95. 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 Christchurch in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Christchurch $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Christchurch $98
Compare Hotels in Pai and Christchurch
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Christchurch? 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 Christchurch Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Christchurch $14
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: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Port to Christchurch Airport CHC: $29
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch to Christchurch Airport(CHC)- Departure Transfer: $32
- Christchurch Hotels to Airport Transfer: $51
- Christchurch City Hotels to Airport Transfer - Lowest price 1 to 9 Passengers: $78
- Christchurch Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Christchurch: $69
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $129
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Christchurch?
Prices for flights to both Christchurch 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 $21Christchurch $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Christchurch $17
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
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- 8 Day Southern Secrets Small Group Tour: $950
- Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $113
- Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch: $151
- Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch: $250
- Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour: $235
- Arthurs Pass Day Tour With TranzAlpine and Jet Boat Ride : $229
- Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo: $42
- Christchurch International Antarctic Centre Entry Tickets: $35
- Christchurch Scenic Helicopter Tour: $190
- Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo: $46
- Christchurch Zipline Tour: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Christchurch $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $100
- All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch: $106
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $119
- Akaroa Craft Distillery HeliGin Experience: $532
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch 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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Christchurch?
Christchurch 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 Christchurch in the Summer?
Both Christchurch 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. Also, many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pai is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Christchurch averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin January. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Christchurchin January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Christchurch 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Pai or Christchurch in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Christchurch. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Christchurch in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Christchurchin April. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pai usually receives more rain than Christchurchin April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Christchurch 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Pai or Christchurch in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pai as well as Christchurch. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Pai is much warmer than Christchurch in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin July. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Christchurchin July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Christchurch 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Pai or Christchurch in the Spring?
Both Christchurch and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Christchurch. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Pai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Christchurchin October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Christchurch 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Christchurch and Pai
| Pai | Christchurch | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.