Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pai or Surfers Paradise?
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 Surfers Paradise. 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 Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Surfers Paradise $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $104. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Surfers Paradise $66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Surfers Paradise $132
Compare Hotels in Pai and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Surfers Paradise? 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 $37Surfers Paradise $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $106
- Luxury Private Transfer between Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast city (1-7pax) : $89
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
- Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $291
- Gold Coast Airport Transfers Corporate Chauffeurs Gold Coast: $119
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $21Surfers Paradise $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $78
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Surfers Paradise $23
Tours and Activities in Pai
For Pai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jungle Tipsy Tubing Experience with Shots: $6.76
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Surf Lesson$78
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Experience - Small Group Tour: $79
- 1.5hr Jetski Tour with island stopover - SELF DRIVE - NO LICENCE NEEDED: $185
- 2.5hrs Jetski Tour with island stopover / Self Drive / Surfers Paradise: $259
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $151
- Body Massage Experience in Gold Coast : $98
- Buffet Lunch Sightseeing Cruise: $59
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $53
- Glow Worms - Nocturnal Rainforest/Waterfall Adventure: $72
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $30
- Gold Coast City Lights Cruise: $37
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pai is in Asia and Surfers Paradise is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Surfers Paradise?
Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
Both Surfers Paradise 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, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Pai is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein January. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Pai or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Pai is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.
In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein April. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.
Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradisein April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Pai or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Pai or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Surfers Paradise. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Surfers Paradisein October. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the spring, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein October. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Pai
| Pai | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.