Which place is cheaper, Khao Lak or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Khao Lak?
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 Khao Lak. 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 Khao Lak?
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.
Khao Lak
Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.
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 $64Khao Lak $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Khao Lak is $112. 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 Khao Lak in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Khao Lak $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Khao Lak $102
Compare Hotels in Pai and Khao Lak
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Khao Lak? 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 Khao Lak Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Khao Lak $52
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
- Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $119
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $44
- Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $100
- Phuket: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Khao Lak by Car: $30
- Krabi Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khaolak: $111
- Khao Lak/Bang Sak: 1-Way Private Transfer to Phuket Airport: $41
- Khao Lak To Khao Sok Private Minivan & Car Transfer: $56
- From Carnival Magic Phuket Ticket with Transfer: $106
- 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $42
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Khao Lak?
Prices for flights to both Khao Lak 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 $21Khao Lak $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Market Tour by Pakinnaka School: $56
- Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $57
- Authentic Thai cooking class with market tour.: $59
- Thai Cooking Class in a Garden with Transfer: $59
- Thai Cooking Class in Khaolak: $61
- 3 hours Khao Lak Cooking Class and Market Visit: $68
- Half-Day Cooking Class and Ingredient Hunt: $68
- 3-Hour Khaolak Cooking Class with Food Market Visit: $69
- Khao Sok Local Life Adventure & Traditional Cooking Class: $89
- Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class and Waterfall Tour: $97
- ATV Quad Bike Excursion to Stunning Waterfalls with Dinner: $97
- Thai Food Cooking Class & ATV Adventure Tour: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Khao Lak $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
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours-Early Bird Guide Tour in Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary: $68
- 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $53
- 30-Minutes ATV Quads and Waterfall Experience in Khaolak : $55
- 4 hours Tour with Khaolak ATV Quad Bike and Rescued Elephant: $97
- Adventure Off Road Safari to Khao Lak National Park: $140
- Adventure Off Road Safari to Khao Lak National Park: $140
- Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $37
- Cheow Lan Lake: 2-Day Guided Tour with Meals and Activities: $176
- Day Tour with Sea Canoeing at Hong Island from Khao Lak: $81
- Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Adventure From Khao Lak: $112
- Eco Grand Canyon with Hot Springs and Elephant Retreat Tour: $97
- From Khao Lak Or Khok Kloi : Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip with Lunch: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Khao Lak $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Khao Lak, we can see that Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Khao Lak?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Pai or Khao Lak in the Summer?
Both Khao Lak 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round.
Khao Lak 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 July than Khao Lak. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Khao Lak, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Khao Lak. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Lak receives 206 hours of full sun.
Pai is around the same temperature as Khao Lak in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Khao Lak fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Khao Lak 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pai or Khao Lak in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Khao Lak. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak. Khao Lak receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Khao Lak. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Khao Lak during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Lak receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Pai is around the same temperature as Khao Lak. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Khao Lak averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Khao Lak 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pai or Khao Lak in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pai as well as Khao Lak. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Khao Lak. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the winter, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Lak. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Lak receives 287 hours of full sun.
In January, Pai is generally cooler than Khao Lak. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Khao Lak fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Khao Lak 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Pai or Khao Lak in the Spring?
Both Khao Lak and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Khao Lak is November to April. The rainy season in Khao Lak is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Khao Lak. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Khao Lak. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Khao Lak during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Lak receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is a little warmer than Khao Lak in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Khao Lak fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Khao Lak 29°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Khao Lak and Pai
| Pai | Khao Lak | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.