Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pai or Melbourne?
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 Melbourne. 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 Melbourne?
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.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesMelbourne Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Melbourne $195
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $195. 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 Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Melbourne $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Melbourne $238
Compare Hotels in Pai and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Melbourne? 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 Melbourne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Melbourne $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$10
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Tram Ride$2.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $377
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne HTL-APT (MEL): $69
- Transfer Melbourne Airport MEL to City Centre/St Kilda/Hawthorne: $45
- Sydney Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD/ Other Suburbs: $96
- Starways Chauffeur - Airport Transfer & Chauffeurs in Melbourne: $91
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $82
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $82
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $80
- Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $87
- Private Airport Transfer from Melbourne Airport to City Center: $129
- Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $201
- Nighttime Private City Tour with Transfer & Stops: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne 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 $42Melbourne $53
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.62
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Pizza$4.58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Melbourne Flavors: Queen Victoria Market Food Tour: $40
- Multicultural Markets Food Tour – Melbourne’s Global Tastes: $51
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Queen Victoria Market Early Access Food Tour: $53
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $54
- Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $81
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
- Carlton a Little Italy Dinner Tour: $93
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Melbourne $27
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- English Melbourne Walking Tour: $17
- Experience Yarra Valley: A Tailored private Wine Journey: $269
- Melbourne Laneways and Galleries Impressionist Art Walking Tour: $84
- Wilsons Promontory Hiking Day Tour - 8 Person Max Small Group : $147
- 1 day Lake mountain snow tour : $73
- 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $147
- 1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise: $317
- 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Private Smal Group Tour FREE entries: $83
- 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour - 8 person max: $147
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $843
- 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $60
- 4D3N Best Bits Victoria Sightseeing Tour: $992
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Melbourne $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Christmas Bar Crawl: $15
- Melbourne Pub Crawl (Batmania Tours): $19
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $20
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $24
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- MELBOURNE Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Tour: $26
- Melbourne Music Venue Pub Crawl with History + 2 Free Drinks: $26
- Laid back, Yarra Valley Wine Tour: Wine, Cider, Gin, Beer + Choc: $87
- New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89
- Cruise Ship Friendly Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Port Pickup: $114
- Yarra Valley: Bus Wine Tour with Lunch and a Glass of Wine: $116
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch & Gin/Beer Option: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pai is in Asia and Melbourne is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Melbourne?
Melbourne 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 Melbourne in the Summer?
Both Melbourne and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pai is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Melbourne averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Melbourne. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Pai or Melbourne in the Autumn?
Both Melbourne 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. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Melbournein April. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Melbournein April. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Pai or Melbourne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Melbourne. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Pai is much warmer than Melbourne in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F)in July.
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Melbournein July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Pai or Melbourne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Melbourne. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Melbourne averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the spring, Pai often gets more sunshine than Melbournein October. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in April than Melbournein October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Pai
| Pai | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.