Which place is cheaper, Lahore or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Lahore?
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 Lahore. 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 Lahore?
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.
Lahore
As Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province, Lahore is widely considered the country's cultural capital. Some of its best-known features include the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara, a mall surrounded by buildings from the British Raj, and many unique markets and neighborhoods.
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 $64Lahore $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Lahore is $57. 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 Lahore in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Lahore $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Lahore $74
Compare Hotels in Pai and Lahore
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Lahore? 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 Lahore Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Lahore $9.98
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 Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Airport Transfer : $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Lahore?
Prices for flights to both Lahore 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 $21Lahore $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore
For Lahore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour of Lahore's Walled City : $85
- Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience: $110
- Full Day Lahore Private Guided Food Tour: $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Lahore $5.08
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 Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- 1 Day Rohtas Fort & Khewra Salt Mines Tour: $120
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Lahore : $300
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Kartarpur Corridor and Gurdwara Sahib Yatra Guided Tour: $175
- Kartarpur Tour: $150
- Kartarpur-Guru-Nanak sab One Day Tour : $250
- Khewra Salt Mines & Katas Raj Temple One Day Guided Tour: $210
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $20
- Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Guided Tour: $145
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Lahore $4.89
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Lahore, we can see that Pai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Lahore Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Lahore?
Lahore 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 Lahore in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Lahore. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
The heat can be very extreme in Lahore. Pai is cooler than Lahore in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Lahore fluctuates around 33°C (91°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lahore this time of the year. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Lahore during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Lahore receives 228 hours of full sun in the summer.
Lahore receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lahore. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Lahore receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Lahore 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Pai or Lahore in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pai as well as Lahore. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Pai is around the same temperature as Lahore. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Lahore averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lahore. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the autumn, Pai often gets less sunshine than Lahore. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lahore receives 290 hours of full sun.
Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Lahore. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Lahore 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)Lahore 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pai or Lahore in the Winter?
Both Lahore 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 Lahore. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Lahore fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Lahore. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Lahore during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Lahore receives 220 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Lahore. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Lahore receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Lahore 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Pai or Lahore in the Spring?
Both Lahore 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 Lahore in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Lahore fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In Lahore, 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 Lahore. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lahore receives 278 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets more rain in April than Lahore. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lahore receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Lahore 28°C (83°F)
Typical Weather for Lahore and Pai
| Pai | Lahore | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 35°C (96°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 14 mm (0.5 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.