Which place is cheaper, Hoi An or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Hoi An?
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 Hoi An. 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 Hoi An?
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.
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
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 Vietnam, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Hoi An $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Hoi An is $46. 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 Hoi An in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Hoi An $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Hoi An $42
Compare Hotels in Pai and Hoi An
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Hoi An? 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 Hoi An Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Hoi An $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.79
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tour/transfer to My Son sanctuary from Da Nang/HoiAn: $32
- Private transfer to Da Nang Hotels or to Hoi An City: $4.10
- Private Transfer To My Son Sanctuary From Hoi An or Da Nang: $45
- Private Transfer To Marble Mountains and My Son HolyLand: $76
- Private Transfer From Hue To Hoi An With A Sightseeing Tour: $39
- My Son Sanctuary & Hai Van Pass: Transfer Hoi An to/from Hue: $70
- Lady Buddha in Monkey Mountain: Transfer Hue to/from Hoi An: $57
- Hue: Transfer to/from Hoi An by Private Car via Hai Van Pass: $47
- Hue: Transfer to/from Airport, Hoi An, Danang by Private Car: $10
- Hue Private Transfer to Hoi An Via HaiVan Pass & Sightseeing: $41
- HoiAn city private trip with Guide, Lunch, tickets &Transfer: $91
- Hoi An:Private transfer To/From Hue with Sightseeing: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Hoi An?
Prices for flights to both Hoi An 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 $21Hoi An $9.95
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$14
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.99
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Optional Lunch/Dinner: $14
- Hoi An:Traditional Cooking Class with Cam Thanh Local Family: $21
- Traditional Cooking Class & meal w Cam Thanh Family: $21
- Hoi An/Da Nang: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Transportation: $22
- From Cooking Class at Organic Farm: $22
- Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
- Traditional Vietnamese Cooking Class in Leina Cookery: $23
- Evening Tra Que Cooking Class with Locals in Herb Village: $24
- Hoi An : Basket Boat Ride & Cooking Class with Market Tour: $24
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hoi An: $24
- Cooking Class with Traditional Vietnamese Meals: $24
- Hoi An : Cooking Class W Optional Basket Boat & Market Tour: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Hoi An $13
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$148
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Short Boat Ride$1.60
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3-Hour Sunrise or Sunset Photography Tour in Hoi An: $59
- Amazing My Son Sunset & River Cruise Tour From Hoi An/DaNang: $27
- Amazing My Son Sunset Tour With Banh My & Cruise By Group: $28
- BUFFALO RIDING ADVENTURE AND BASKET BOAT TOUR: $28
- Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Private Tour: $120
- Basket Boat Experience: $13
- Big Experiences Water Wheel Tour - Tra Que Island: $56
- Bike and Bite Tour: $42
- Cam Thanh Bike Tour from Hoi An: $86
- Cam Thanh Coconut Forest Basket Boat Tour by Private Car: $13
- Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle Eco Tour From Hoi An: $30
- Cham Island - Snorkeling Tour from Hoi An/DaNang: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Hoi An $9.06
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Hoi An
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hoi An:
- Pub Crawl by Bus with Shots at Each Bar: $8.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Hoi An, we can see that Pai is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Hoi An Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Hoi An?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Pai or Hoi An in the Summer?
Both Hoi An and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January. It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Hoi An. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Hoi An. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Hoi An during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Hoi An receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.
Pai is around the same temperature as Hoi An in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Hoi An fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Hoi An 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Pai or Hoi An in the Autumn?
Both Hoi An and Pai during the autumn 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 Hoi An year-round.
Hoi An gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets less rain in October than Hoi An. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Hoi An. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hoi An receives 158 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Pai is a little warmer than Hoi An. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Hoi An averages at about 25°C (78°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Hoi An 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Pai or Hoi An in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Hoi An. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Hoi An. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Hoi An during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Hoi An receives 136 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Hoi An. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Hoi An fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Hoi An 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Pai or Hoi An in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Hoi An. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year.
Pai usually gets more rain in April than Hoi An. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hoi An receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the spring, Pai often gets more sunshine than Hoi An. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hoi An receives 210 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is a little warmer than Hoi An in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Hoi An fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Hoi An 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Hoi An and Pai
| Pai | Hoi An | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.