A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Pai vs. Nakhon Ratchasima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pai or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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 Nakhon Ratchasima. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima?

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.

Nakhon Ratchasima

If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Pai is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Pai or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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 Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nakhon Ratchasima. It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 30°C (86°F).

Should I visit Pai or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.

Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Pai or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Nakhon Ratchasima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Pai usually receives more rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Pai is around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Pai or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Nakhon Ratchasima. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year.

Pai usually gets less rain in April than Nakhon Ratchasima. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 31°C (89°F).

Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Pai