Which place is cheaper, Kanchanaburi or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Kanchanaburi?
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 Kanchanaburi. 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 Kanchanaburi?
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.
Kanchanaburi
If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Kanchanaburi $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Kanchanaburi $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Kanchanaburi $38
Compare Hotels in Pai and Kanchanaburi
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Kanchanaburi? 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 Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Kanchanaburi $12
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: $71
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $133
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $98
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $163
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $171
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $104
- Arrival Bangkok Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Kanchanaburi: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Kanchanaburi?
Prices for flights to both Kanchanaburi 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 $21Kanchanaburi $12
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch$4.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class: $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Kanchanaburi $9.10
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: $6.79
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Entry Park TreeHouse$5.46
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Amazing Boat Trip River Kwai and Erawan Falls Full Day Tour: $117
- Bangkok Mystical Waterfall & River Kwai Tour: $241
- Bangkok and Beyond - A 6 Day Exciting Group Tour: $1,004
- Bangkok: 2-Day River Kwai & Erawan National Park Tour: $282
- Bangkok: Bridge on the River Kwai Full Day Guided Tour: $81
- Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour: $95
- Bangkok: Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfall Private Tour: $149
- Cycling to visit Local Experience and Learn Culture with Local expert: $29
- Discovery Bike Tour: $16
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $31
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Erawan Waterfalls & Phra That Cave Tour : from Bangkok: $111
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Kanchanaburi $8.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Kanchanaburi, we can see that Pai is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Kanchanaburi Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Kanchanaburi?
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 Kanchanaburi in the Summer?
Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October. It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Pai usually receives less sunshine than Kanchanaburi during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Kanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kanchanaburi in the Autumn?
Both Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi year-round.
November to May is the dry season in Kanchanaburi. July to October is the rainy season in Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kanchanaburi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Kanchanaburi. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 206 hours of full sun.
In October, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Kanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kanchanaburi in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Kanchanaburi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Pai usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.
Pai is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Kanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kanchanaburi in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Kanchanaburi. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year.
Also, November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Kanchanaburi. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the spring, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kanchanaburi. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 262 hours of full sun.
Kanchanaburi can become quite hot in the spring. The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 32°C (89°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Kanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)
Typical Weather for Kanchanaburi and Pai
| Pai | Kanchanaburi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 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.