A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pai vs. Agra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pai or Agra?

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 Agra. 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 Agra?

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.

Agra

In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.

While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Agra or Pai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Agra is $53. 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 Agra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pai $16
    Agra $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pai $32
    Agra $30
Compare Hotels in Pai and Agra

Looking for a hotel in Pai or Agra? 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.

Hotels in Pai


Hotels in Agra


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 and Agra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pai $42
    Agra $9.80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Wildlife SOS Visit with One Way Transfer from Agra to Delhi: $52
  • Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
  • Transfer from Agra to Tundla railway station and vice versa: $34
  • Transfer from Agra to Delhi Airport: $70
  • Transfer Agra To Jaipur Via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $51
  • Transfer Agra To Jaipur By Ac Car With Fatehpur sikari.: $85
  • Sunrise Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Half-Day Tour with Transfer: $14
  • Sunrise Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri Tour With Transfer To Jaipur: $106
  • Smooth Departure Transfer by Car from Agra to Lucknow: $100
  • Private transfer from Agra to Varanasi by Car: $161
  • Private transfer Agra to Varnashi: $246
  • Private transfer Agra to Varnashi: $230

Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Agra?

Prices for flights to both Agra 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 day
    Pai $42
    Agra $26

Typical Food Prices in Agra

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $2.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking class with taj: $5.64
  • Old Agra Market & Street Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $15
  • Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk Ride: $18
  • Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
  • Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra: $20
  • Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $21
  • Indian Food Private Cooking Class: $21
  • Old City & Street Food Tour in Car, Tuk Tuk or Bike: $21
  • AI Cooking Class and Much More in a Local Family Home: $27
  • Jaisalmer: Thar Desert Camel Safari with Dinner: $28
  • Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $28
  • Private Indian Cooking Demonstration and In-Home Meal Minutes from the Taj Mahal: $33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pai $46
    Agra $19

Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra

For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entry to the Red Fort for Two
    $6.81
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $17

Tours and Activities in Agra

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.

  • Private 6 Hours: Agra Temples and Spiritual Sites Tour: $38
  • Private Agra Tour to TajMahal from Delhi by Car: $27
  • Skip-the-Line Private Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort: $5.78
  • Taj Mahal Skip the Line Guided Tour with Optional Add ons: $5.78
  • Taj Mahal Sunrise & Agra Fort Private Tour with Add-ons: $20
  • "Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Tour With Guide": $15
  • "Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour From Delhi": $105
  • 05-Hours Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour by TUK TUK: $5.00
  • 1 Day Agra and 1 Day Jaipur Private Tour from Agra: $202
  • 1 Day Private Tour of Agra - Taj Mahal & More: $35
  • 11 Hour Taj Mahal Sunrise and Sunset Day Tour: $20
  • 2 Days Jaipur City Tour from Agra: $85

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pai $15
    Agra $9.14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Agra, we can see that Pai is more expensive. And not only is Agra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Agra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Agra 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 Agra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.