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

Should you visit Pai or Nagasaki?

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 Nagasaki. 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 Nagasaki?

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.

Nagasaki

Set in a natural harbor on the northwest coast of Japan, Nagasaki is a Japanese city synonymous with a key moment during WWII after suffering an Allied nuclear attack in 1945. While the event is memorialized at the city's Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, the city in no way is defined by the event. Today it exists as a culturally and religiously diverse port town with a certain charm amongst the terraces of surrounding hills.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Nagasaki or Pai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Nagasaki is $114. 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 Nagasaki in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pai $16
    Nagasaki $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pai $32
    Nagasaki $98
Compare Hotels in Pai and Nagasaki

Looking for a hotel in Pai or Nagasaki? 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 Nagasaki


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 Nagasaki Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pai $42
    Nagasaki $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagasaki

Also for Nagasaki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Nagasaki Airport (NGS) to Nagasaki Port: $117
  • Nagasaki International Airport to Nagasaki City Private Arrival Transfer: $196
  • Nagasaki City to Nagasaki International Airport Private Departure Transfer: $196

Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Nagasaki?

Prices for flights to both Nagasaki 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 $42
    Nagasaki $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nagasaki

For Nagasaki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking with a Local Okaasan at Kominka in Ojika Island Nagasaki: $41
  • Sunset Beach Dinner: $53

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pai $46
    Nagasaki $23

Tours and Activities in Nagasaki

For Nagasaki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Customizable Full-Day Private Tours in Nagasaki with private car: $300
  • Discover Stunning Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Experience farming (rice cultivation) in terraced rice paddies: $38
  • Finding Local Cats and Hidden Alleys of Nagasaki Walking Tour: $62
  • Full day Private Tour for Shore Excursion in Nagasaki: $206
  • Gunkanjima Digital Museum Attraction Ticket: $13
  • Mochitsuki Rice Cake Making Experience in Ojika Island: $78
  • Must-See Nagasaki With A Local: Private & Personalized Walking Experience: $256
  • Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $151
  • Nagasaki GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $12
  • Nagasaki Gyoza&Soy Sauce Ramen Culinary Experience: $83
  • Nagasaki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $117

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pai $15
    Nagasaki $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Nagasaki, we can see that Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Pai or Nagasaki?

Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki in the Summer?

Both Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Pai usually receives less sunshine than Nagasaki during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 197 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives less rain than Nagasaki. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pai 29°C (85°F) 
    Nagasaki 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Pai or Nagasaki in the Autumn?

Both Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Pai is a little warmer than Nagasaki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Nagasaki fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Nagasaki. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 189 hours of full sun.

Nagasaki gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets more rain in October than Nagasaki. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pai 29°C (84°F) 
    Nagasaki 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Pai or Nagasaki in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Nagasaki. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, most visitors come to Nagasaki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Nagasaki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Nagasaki averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Nagasaki during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 112 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Nagasaki. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pai 24°C (74°F) 
    Nagasaki 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Pai or Nagasaki in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Nagasaki. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nagasaki because of the activities around the city.

Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the spring, Pai often gets more sunshine than Nagasaki. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 174 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagasaki. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Nagasaki. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pai 32°C (89°F) 
    Nagasaki 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Nagasaki and Pai

Pai Nagasaki
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 29°C (83°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Apr 32°C (89°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 175 mm (6.9 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 193 mm (7.6 in)
Jun 30°C (86°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 334 mm (13.1 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 29°C (85°F) 207 mm (8.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 20°C (67°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)