Which place is cheaper, Brisbane or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pai or Brisbane?
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 Brisbane. 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 Brisbane?
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.
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesBrisbane Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Brisbane $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $154. 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 Brisbane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Brisbane $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Brisbane $162
Compare Hotels in Pai and Brisbane
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Brisbane? 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 and Brisbane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Brisbane $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$9.81
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Go Card$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- UVF Luxury Transfer To Secrets St. Lucia Roundtrip: $100
- St Lucia Airport Transfer to Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa: $43
- Sirromet Winery 3 Course Lunch, Tour, Tastings and Transfers: $134
- Secrets St Lucia Resort Airport Transfer and Taxi Service: $59
- Secrets St Lucia Airport Transfer: $58
- Private Transfers From Brisbane to Gold Coast: $133
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $129
- Private Transfer: Brisbane to Airport BNE by Business Car: $106
- Private Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE to Brisbane in Business Car: $106
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Hotels to Brisbane Cruise Port: $102
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $107
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airport to Noosa for 1 to 3 people: $276
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Brisbane?
Prices for flights to both Brisbane 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
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Food Meals for one dayPai $42Brisbane $54
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.23
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Cup of Coffee$1.96
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.18
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Ice cream$3.60
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Japanese Meal$14
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Smoothie$4.25
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Japanese Soup$7.52
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Coffee & Muffin$4.58
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Morning Mint Tea$2.29
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.16
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Bread$1.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gold Coast: Glow Worms, Sunset & Stargazing with BBQ dinner: $117
- Vertigo Dinner – Dining on the Edge: $165
- Dinner on the Edge with Vertigo Brisbane: $168
- Local Icons Food Tour: $353
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Brisbane $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- 2 Hour Sunset Jetski Tour on the Brisbane River: $110
- 2 hour Brisbane Segway Afternoon & Sunset Thrill Tour: $85
- 2.30pm Mid Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise: $35
- 2.5 Hour Sightseeing Tours - Morning & Night: $105
- 4 Hour Jetski Adventure from Brisbane to Moreton Bay Islands: $177
- 6 Hour Welcome to Brisbane Private Sightseeing Private Tour: $664
- 6 Hours Brisbane Private Tour - Popular Sights in One Day: $664
- Adventure Moreton Island Wrecks Adventure Package: $120
- Adventure Theme Scavenger Hunt Experience in Brisbane: $27
- Afternoon Moreton Bay Sailing Tour: $80
- Alice In Puzzleland an Escape Hunt Brisbane Experience: $32
- Alpaca Feeding with Wildlife & Nature Park VIP Private Tour: $956
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Brisbane $50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar$9.81
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Sixpack of Beer$9.16
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Guiness Beer$5.56
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Sixpack of Beer$8.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $25
- Hop on Hop off Brewery Adventure : $66
- Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High Speed Boat Tour in Brisbane : $101
- Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour: $107
- Hop on Hop off Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $110
- Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High-Speed Boat: $115
- Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour : $134
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $140
- Gold Coast Full Day Brewery Tour: $140
- Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch: $148
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $165
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $168
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Brisbane Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Brisbane?
Brisbane 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 Brisbane in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Brisbane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Pai is generally a little warmer than Brisbanein January. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.
Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Brisbanein January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Brisbane 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Pai or Brisbane in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pai as well as Brisbane. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.
Pai is a little warmer than Brisbane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the autumn, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbanein April. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Brisbanein April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Brisbane 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Pai or Brisbane in the Winter?
Both Brisbane and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Brisbane averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Brisbane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Brisbane during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Brisbanein July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Brisbane 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Pai or Brisbane in the Spring?
Both Brisbane and Pai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Brisbanein October. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pai. In the spring, Pai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbanein October. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in April than Brisbanein October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Brisbane 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Brisbane and Pai
| Pai | Brisbane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (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.