Which place is cheaper, Hat Yai 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 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 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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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesHat Yai Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $85Hat Yai $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $85, while the average daily cost in Hat Yai is $25. 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 Hat Yai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $15Hat Yai $5.47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $30Hat Yai $11
Compare Hotels in Pai and Hat Yai
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Hat Yai? 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 Hat Yai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $39Hat Yai $0.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $76
- Chiang Mai: One-way Transfer to/from Pai by Private Car: $128
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $134
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $143
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $143
- One-Way Private Transfer to Pai (Mae Hong Son): $146
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $160
- Chiang Mai Private transfer to Pai - Mae Hong Son One-way: $175
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $201
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- Transfer from Hatyai Airport to Koh Lipe: $25
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai City to Pak Bara Pier: $79
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pak Bara Pier: $79
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Hat Yai?
Prices for flights to both Hat Yai 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 $39Hat Yai $19
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
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Roti Snack$0.58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $43Hat Yai -
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: $39
- Ultimate Ziplining Adventure through the Jungle: $52
- From Sunrise Private Tour Jabo Viewpoint & Nam Lod Cave: $94
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour: $118
- From Chiang Mai: Private Day Tour to Pai Highlights by Car: $170
- Full-Day Private Car Tour to Mae Hong Son Highlights: $181
Tours and Activities in Hat Yai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:
- One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $32
- One Way Van and Speedboat Ticket Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $14Hat Yai $2.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Pai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pai:
- Pai Pub Crawl: The Best Nightlife in Town!: $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
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Beer$1.75
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).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Hat Yai 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).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Hat Yai 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).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Hat Yai 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).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Hat Yai 30°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Hat Yai and Pai
| Pai | Hat Yai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 588 mm (23.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 404 mm (15.9 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.