A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Pai vs. Hat Yai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pai or Hat Yai?

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 Hat Yai. 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 Hat Yai?

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.

Hat Yai

The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Pai or Hat Yai?

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 Hat Yai in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Hat Yai. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Hat Yai. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Hat Yai. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hat Yai receives 206 hours of full sun.

In July, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Hat Yai. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Hat Yai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Should I visit Pai or Hat Yai in the Autumn?

Both Hat Yai and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Hat Yai. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Hat Yai during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Hat Yai receives 182 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pai is around the same temperature as Hat Yai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Hat Yai fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Pai or Hat Yai in the Winter?

Both Hat Yai 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round.

January to April is the dry season in Hat Yai. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pai usually gets less rain in January than Hat Yai. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Hat Yai. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hat Yai receives 221 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Pai is cooler than Hat Yai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Hat Yai averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Pai or Hat Yai in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Hat Yai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Hat Yai. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hat Yai receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hat Yai during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Hat Yai receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Hat Yai. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Hat Yai fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for Hat Yai and Pai