Which place is cheaper, Hefei or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Hefei?
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 Hefei. 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 Hefei?
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.
Hefei
While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Hefei $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Hefei is $62. 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 Hefei in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Hefei $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Hefei $56
Compare Hotels in Pai and Hefei
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Hefei? 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 $37Hefei $17
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Hefei?
Prices for flights to both Hefei 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 $21Hefei $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Hefei $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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Hefei $11
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Hefei, we can see that Pai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Hefei Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Hefei?
Hefei 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 Hefei in the Summer?
Both Hefei 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.
In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Hefei. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Hefei averages at about 29°C (83°F).
Hefei gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Hefei. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Hefei 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Pai or Hefei in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Hefei. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Hefei. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Hefei fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pai usually receives more rain than Hefei. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Hefei 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Pai or Hefei in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pai as well as Hefei. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Hefei can be very cold during winter. Pai is much warmer than Hefei in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Hefei fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Hefei. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Hefei 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Pai or Hefei in the Spring?
Both Hefei and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Hefei. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Hefei averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Hefei. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Hefei 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hefei and Pai
| Pai | Hefei | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (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.