Which place is cheaper, Pai or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani 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: Surat Thani or Pai?
Surat Thani
The best way to see the real culture of a country is to go where the tourists are not. If you are itching to experience real Thai culture, you may want to visit the city of Surat Thani. Located on the central gulf coast of southern Thailand, this city is usually the gateway to other Thai islands – meaning visitors run through it without stopping. Stay a while and get to know Surat Thani – known to the locals as the "City of Good People."
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 Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Pai $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, 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 Surat Thani and Pai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Pai $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Pai $28
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Pai
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani 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: Pai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Pai $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $36
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $12
- From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.16
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Pai?
Prices for flights to both Pai and Surat Thani 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 daySurat Thani $14Pai $21
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:
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Dinner$4.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surat Thani
For Surat Thani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Khao Sok: Elephant Day Care, Cooking Class, & Bamboo Raft: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Pai $40
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- 5 island tour: $459
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $69
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $105
- From Phuket: Cheow Lan Lake 2Day Guided Tour with Activities: $203
- From Phuket: Full-Day Private Tour to Khao Sok Highlights: $170
- Khao Sok Lake: Private Day Tour with Boat and Jungle Trek: $179
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
- Khao Sok: Private Longtail Boat Tour at Cheow Lan Lake: $227
- Koh Phangan: Private Land Tour with Snorkeling: $241
- Koh Samui Day and Night Fishing Experience: $48
- Koh Samui Waterfall And Mummified Monk Temple Tour: $241
- Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Pai $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Pai, we can see that Pai is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surat Thani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surat Thani 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 Pai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pai than you might in Surat Thani.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surat Thani Expensive? and Is Pai Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani or Pai in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Pai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Pai. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Pai receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Pai in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Pai fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Pai 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Pai in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Pai. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Pai. Surat Thani receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in October than Pai. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Pai receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Pai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Pai averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Pai 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Pai in the Winter?
Both Pai and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Pai. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pai receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Pai. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Pai fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Pai 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Pai in the Spring?
Both Pai and Surat Thani during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
Surat Thani usually gets more rain in April than Pai. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pai receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. Surat Thani is cooler than Pai in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Pai fluctuates around 32°C (89°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Pai 32°C (89°F)
Typical Weather for Pai and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Pai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.