Which place is cheaper, Seoul 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 Seoul?
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 Seoul. 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 Seoul?
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.
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Seoul $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $128. 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 Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Pai and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Seoul? 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 Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Seoul $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.58
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Short Taxi Ride$5.01
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Metro Ride$0.97
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- [Cherry blossom]Gyeongju Tour from SEOUL transfer to BUSAN: $101
- Transfer Service from Gimpo Airport to Hotel City: $57
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport (1-12pax): $164
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $90
- Night Views Tour with Guide and Transfers: $41
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
- Seoul Incheon Airport ICN to Seoul - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $160
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $60
- Private transfer from Seoul hotel to Seoul Station and so on: $132
- Private Transfer from Seoul to Incheon Cruise Terminal(12 pax): $190
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul 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 $42Seoul $51
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.30
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.43
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.94
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Chicken Stick$1.43
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.36
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Lunch Buffet$4.30
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.72
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.36
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Udon & Sushi$5.01
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Fresh Burger$3.44
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.22
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.58
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Fried Rice$3.94
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.80
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.80
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Donut$1.79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $65
- Seoul by Night: Palaces, Market & Street Food Tour (Vegan Option): $65
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
- Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Seoul $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.73
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Movie Ticket$5.73
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Kimchi Museum$2.15
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- DMZ, Eunpyeong village and Jinkwansa Temple Private Tour : $212
- Private Garden of Morning Calm Experience: $267
- Private Tour Nami Island & Morning Calm Garden: $256
- Seoul National Museum Walking Tour Experience: $35
- (Closed) Korea’s White House Walking Tour Blue House: $148
- (Small Group) Art and Architecture tour of Seoul: $121
- 1 Day Private Full DMZ Tour in Seoul with Crystal Gondola: $220
- 2 Hours Seoul Private Walking Tour Including Pick up: $59
- 2025 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best: DMZ Tour from Seoul: $29
- 2D 1N Phoenix Pyeongchang Reseot Stay + Trout Ice-Fishing Festival Tour: $144
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $30
- Aegibong DMZ and Eunpyeong Hanok Village One Day Tour from Seoul: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $42
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $59
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Itaewon Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $73
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Seoul, we can see that Seoul 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 Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Seoul?
Seoul 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 Seoul in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Seoul. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Seoul in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pai is a little warmer than Seoul. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Seoul averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In the summer, Pai often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Seoul. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Pai or Seoul in the Autumn?
Both Seoul 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, most visitors come to Seoul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Seoul. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives more rain than Seoul. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Pai or Seoul in the Winter?
Both Seoul 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Seoul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Seoul can be very cold. Pai is much warmer than Seoul in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 163 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Seoul. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Pai or Seoul in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Seoul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Seoul averages at about 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Seoul. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Pai
| Pai | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.