Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pai or Shenzhen?
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 Shenzhen. 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 Shenzhen?
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.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
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 China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
-
Pai Prices
Thailand PricesShenzhen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $89Shenzhen $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $89, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $148. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Shenzhen $96
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Shenzhen $192
Compare Hotels in Pai and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Shenzhen? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $41Shenzhen $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
- [Elite Transport] Shenzhen Private Transfer & Executive Support: $89
- Venetian Macao and Macau Heritage Tour with 2-way ferry transfers from Hong Kong: $115
- Transfer Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport by Luxury Van or Sedan: $120
- Stress-Free Hong Kong hotels to HongKong Airport Private Transfer: $55
- Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
- Shenzhen to Shenzhen Airport (SZX) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Shenzhen Private transfer and Ongoing assistance: $39
- Shenzhen Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $55
- Shenzhen Int Airport (SZX) to Shenzhen - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong to Macau via Zhuhai Bridge: $265
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong to Airport HKG by Luxury Van: $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 dayPai $41Shenzhen $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Shenzhen Food Tour with Locals: $38
- Traditional Outdoor Cooking in a Private Lesson: $45
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $59
- Best Street Food Tour With a Local Guide in Hong Kong: $96
- Hong Kong's Tin Hau Hidden Gems Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $107
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $107
- Hong Kong Market Walking Tour & Chinese Cooking Class: $131
- Hong Kong Sightseeing Tour With Dinner Cruise From Shenzhen: $136
- Hong Kong Best Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $147
- Kowloon Street Food Tour Private & Personalized with a Local: $172
- Hong Kong Private & Personalized Street Food Tour with a Local: $172
- Layover Tour from airport - Classic Hong Kong with Tram Ride and Dinner Cruise: $182
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $45Shenzhen $18
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Perfect Hong Kong Layover - 5h private tour: $300
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $53
- Audio Tour of Hong Kong: Hollywood Road Loop: $8.99
- Best Seller: VIP Lantau Tai O Tour Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha: $99
- Between Capitalism & Communism: Hong Kong History Tip Based Tour: $2.62
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $56
- Boat Tour Through Four Sea Arches in Sai Kung, Hong Kong Geopark: $79
- Cheung Chau Island Tour: $105
- City Tour and Film Portrait in Hong Kong: $157
- Comprehensive Shenzhen Tech Tour: A Deeper Look at the Future: $174
- Custom private tour of Hong Kong Island - Half day: $229
- Custom private tour of Kowloon Peninsula - Half day: $178
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Shenzhen $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:
- Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Shenzhen?
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen in the Summer?
Both Shenzhen and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
In July, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in Shenzhen. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Shenzhen during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 231 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Pai or Shenzhen in the Autumn?
Both Shenzhen 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.
Pai is a little warmer than Shenzhen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Shenzhen. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 190 hours of full sun.
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Pai or Shenzhen in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Shenzhen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Shenzhen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Shenzhen during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Pai or Shenzhen in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Shenzhen. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally a little warmer than Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 23°C (73°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 Shenzhen. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 95 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Shenzhen. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Pai
| Pai | Shenzhen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.