A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Similan Islands vs. Pai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Similan Islands or Pai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Pai can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Similan Islands or Pai?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Pai, we can see that Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands Expensive? and Is Pai Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Pai?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Pai in the Summer?

Both Pai and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Pai. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Pai receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Pai during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Pai receives 146 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Pai. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 28°C (82°F), and Pai fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Pai in the Autumn?

Both Pai and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.

October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Pai. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Pai receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Pai. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pai receives 226 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Pai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Pai fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Pai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Pai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Pai. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pai receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pai during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Pai receives 283 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Pai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Similan Islands in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Pai averages at about 24°C (74°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Pai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Pai. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.

Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Pai. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Pai receives 48 mm (1.9 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 Similan Islands this time of the year. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Pai. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pai receives 275 hours of full sun.

It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. In April, Similan Islands is generally cooler than Pai. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 29°C (83°F), and Pai fluctuates around 32°C (89°F).

Typical Weather for Pai and Similan Islands