Which place is cheaper, Nara 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 Nara?
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 Nara. 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 Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesNara Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $89Nara $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $89, while the average daily cost in Nara is $103. 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Nara $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Nara $100
Compare Hotels in Pai and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Nara? 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 Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $41Nara $5.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nara:
- Nara/Kobe ⇆ Osaka or Kansai Airport (KIX) Private Transfer: $98
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private Transfer To/From Nara City Hotels: $172
- City-to-City Transfer, from Nara to Each City in Kansai: $201
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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 $41Nara $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Authentic Onigiri Cooking Class & Meal in a Local Home: $50
- Udon and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $61
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $45Nara $7.51
Tours and Activities in Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- 2-day Kansai world ExTour I tour around Osaka,Kyoto,Nara,andUji: $204
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $41
- Best of Nara in Full Day Todaiji, Deer Park &Buddha Private Tour: $288
- Book for 4 or more! “Sushi Experience Course” in Nara: $42
- Fushimi Inari and Nara Private and Guided Tour in Spanish: $209
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Nara City: $134
- Hand Made Udon Noodle Experience Class in Nara: $49
- Hot! Tempura Rice Bowl Making Experience in Nara: $112
- If it's a matter of fact, it's a matter of doing Project Fauci's sumi culture experience.: $29
- Kyoto Matcha Green Tea Tour: $221
- Kyoto: Tea Museum and Tsuen Teahouse Guided Tour: $97
- Nara - Craft Beer, Sake & Food Walking Tour: $96
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Nara $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Nara
Also in Nara, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Nara Afternoon Sake Brewery Tour (Tastings Included): $108
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Nara, we can see that Nara 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 Nara Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Nara?
Nara 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 Nara in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Nara. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Nara for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Nara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Nara averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Nara. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Nara. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Nara. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Nara 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Pai or Nara in the Autumn?
Both Nara and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Nara in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Nara fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Nara during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nara. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Nara 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Pai or Nara in the Winter?
Both Nara and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Nara can be very cold during winter. Pai is much warmer than Nara in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Nara. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Nara. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Nara 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Pai or Nara in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Nara because of the natural beauty.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Nara averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Nara during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
Nara receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Nara. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Nara 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Nara and Pai
| Pai | Nara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.