Which place is cheaper, Pai or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Petra or Pai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Pai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Pai?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Pai $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Pai is $64. 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 Petra and Pai in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Pai $14
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Pai $28
Compare Hotels in Petra and Pai
Looking for a hotel in Petra or Pai? 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Pai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Pai $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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 City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Pai?
Prices for flights to both Pai and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Pai $21
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
-
Dinner for Two$12
-
Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Pai $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
-
Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Pai $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Pai, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Pai is in Asia, 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive? and Is Pai Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Petra or Pai?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Petra or Pai in the Summer?
Both Pai and Petra during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Pai. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Pai receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Petra. In the summer, Petra often gets more sunshine than Pai. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pai receives 146 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than Pai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Pai averages at about 29°C (85°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Pai 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Petra or Pai in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Pai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Pai. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Pai receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Pai during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Pai receives 226 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Pai. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Pai fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Pai 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Petra or Pai in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Petra as well as Pai. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
Petra usually gets more rain in January than Pai. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pai receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the winter, Petra often gets less sunshine than Pai. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pai receives 283 hours of full sun.
Petra is much colder than Pai in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Pai fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Pai 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Petra or Pai in the Spring?
Both Pai and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Pai. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Pai receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Pai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pai during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Pai receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Petra is cooler than Pai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Pai averages at about 32°C (89°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Pai 32°C (89°F)
Typical Weather for Pai and Petra
| Petra | Pai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.