Which place is cheaper, Gold Coast or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Gold Coast?
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 Gold Coast. 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 Gold Coast?
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.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Gold Coast $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $98. 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 Gold Coast in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Gold Coast $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Gold Coast $110
Compare Hotels in Pai and Gold Coast
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Gold Coast? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Gold Coast $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast
Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer to Byron Bay: $137
- Movie World To Brisbane Hotel One Way Transfer: $26
- Tangalooma Snorkel the Wrecks Cruise Transfers: $154
- Tangalooma Marine Discovery Day Cruise Transfers: $147
- Tangalooma Desert Safari Day Cruise Transfers: $147
- Tangalooma Beach Day Cruise with Bus Transfers: $114
- Australia Zoo Ticket and Roundtrip Transfer: $101
- Airport to Hotel Return Transfer: $21
- Gold Coast Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Gold Coast: $73
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $126
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Car: $127
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Luxury Van: $126
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Gold Coast?
Prices for flights to both Gold Coast 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 $21Gold Coast $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast
For Gold Coast, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $72
- Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Gold Coast $19
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 Gold Coast
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.
- 1.5 hr Jet Ski Safari tour to South Stradbroke Island!: $184
- 2 Hours Dolphin Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour on the Broadwater: $50
- 2.5 hr Jet Ski Safaris tour - Ultimate Adventure + island stop: $264
- 2.5-Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure: $43
- 2.5hr Gold Coast Kayaking & snorkelling tour: $52
- 3-Day Ticket: Dreamworld with WhiteWaterWorld & SkyPoint: $97
- Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $36
- Arro Jet Boating Experience, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast: $52
- Breakfast sailing cruise includes snacks & drinks: $79
- Brisbane: Winery Tour with Tastings and 2-Course Lunch: $150
- Broadwater Morning Cruise: $39
- Broadwater Morning Cruise with Spirit of Gold Coast: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Gold Coast $5.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:
- Tamborine Mountain: Wine Tasting Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $124
- Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $132
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Gold Coast, we can see that Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Gold Coast?
Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Gold Coast. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Gold Coast for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Pai is generally a little warmer than Gold Coastin January. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast this time of the year. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.
Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Gold Coastin January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Gold Coast 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Pai or Gold Coast in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pai as well as Gold Coast. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Gold Coast in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Pai is a little warmer than Gold Coast in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the autumn, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gold Coastin April. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 214 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Gold Coastin April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Gold Coast 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Pai or Gold Coast in the Winter?
Both Gold Coast and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Gold Coast for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Gold Coast. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Gold Coast during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Gold Coastin July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Gold Coast 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Pai or Gold Coast in the Spring?
Both Gold Coast and Pai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Gold Coastin October. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
In Gold Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pai. In the spring, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gold Coastin October. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 259 hours of full sun.
Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Gold Coastin October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Gold Coast 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Pai
| Pai | Gold Coast | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.