Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Islamabad?
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 Islamabad. 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 Islamabad?
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.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Islamabad $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $42. 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 Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Islamabad $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Pai and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Islamabad? 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 Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Islamabad $7.68
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 Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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 $21Islamabad $15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Islamabad $9.48
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 Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
- Islamabad City Tour : $150
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Islamabad $2.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Islamabad, we can see that Pai is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Islamabad?
Islamabad 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 Islamabad in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Islamabad. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. Pai is cooler than Islamabad in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Islamabad fluctuates around 32°C (90°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Islamabad during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pai usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Islamabad 32°C (90°F)
Should I visit Pai or Islamabad in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pai as well as Islamabad. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Pai is around the same temperature as Islamabad. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Islamabad averages at about 26°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the autumn, Pai often gets less sunshine than Islamabad. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 287 hours of full sun.
Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Islamabad. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Islamabad 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Pai or Islamabad in the Winter?
Both Islamabad and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
In January, Pai is generally much warmer than Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite sunny in Islamabad. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Islamabad during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Islamabad receives 213 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Islamabad 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Pai or Islamabad in the Spring?
Both Islamabad 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.
It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is a little warmer than Islamabad in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Islamabad fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Islamabad, 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 Islamabad. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Islamabad receives 258 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets more rain in April than Islamabad. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Islamabad 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Islamabad and Pai
| Pai | Islamabad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.