A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pai vs. Kamakura for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pai or Kamakura?

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 Kamakura. 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 Kamakura?

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.

Kamakura

An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.

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 Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kamakura or Pai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Kamakura is $104. 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 Kamakura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pai $14
    Kamakura $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pai $28
    Kamakura $150
Compare Hotels in Pai and Kamakura

Looking for a hotel in Pai or Kamakura? 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.

Hotels in Pai


Hotels in Kamakura


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 Kamakura Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pai $37
    Kamakura $15

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: $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 City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
  • Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
  • Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Kamakura?

Prices for flights to both Kamakura 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pai $21
    Kamakura $20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pai $40
    Kamakura $5.59

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 Kamakura

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:

  • 3 Hour Japanese Culture Tour in Kamakura Temples: $110
  • 3-Hours Walking Tour in Kamakura: $94
  • Audio Guide Tour of Historic Sites around Kamakura Station: $6.32
  • Exciting Kamakura - One Day Tour from Tokyo: $249
  • From Tokyo: Kamakura Private Customize Tour by Luxury Van: $455
  • From Tokyo: Kamakura and Enoshima 1-Day Bus Tour: $57
  • Full Day Kamakura Private Tour With English Speaking Driver: $505
  • Full Day Private Discovering Tour in Kamakura: $153
  • Half-Day Tour to Seven Gods of Fortune in Kamakura and Enoshima: $39
  • Homemade Sushi and Supermarket Tour in Kamakura: $57
  • Kamakura : Full Day with local guide. (Tickets included!): $113
  • Kamakura Bamboo Forest and Great Buddha Private Tour: $174

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pai $13
    Kamakura $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pai 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura than you might in Pai.

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



When is the best time to visit Pai or Kamakura?

Kamakura 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 Kamakura in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Kamakura. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Pai is a little warmer than Kamakura in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In the summer, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kamakura. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Kamakura. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pai 29°C (85°F) 
    Kamakura 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Pai or Kamakura in the Autumn?

Both Kamakura and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Pai is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Kamakura averages at about 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pai 29°C (84°F) 
    Kamakura 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Pai or Kamakura in the Winter?

Both Kamakura 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. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Pai is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun.

Pai usually gets less rain in January than Kamakura. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pai 24°C (74°F) 
    Kamakura 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Pai or Kamakura in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches.

It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is much warmer than Kamakura in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pai 32°C (89°F) 
    Kamakura 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Pai

Pai Kamakura
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 6°C (44°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Mar 29°C (83°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Apr 32°C (89°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 19°C (65°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 22°C (71°F) 218 mm (8.6 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 29°C (85°F) 207 mm (8.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 177 mm (7 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 13°C (56°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)