Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pai or Guilin?
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 Guilin. 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 Guilin?
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.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
-
Pai Prices
Thailand PricesGuilin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Guilin $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $84. 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Guilin $35
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Guilin $70
Compare Hotels in Pai and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Guilin? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Guilin $5.85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
-
Taxi$2.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
- Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $41
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
- Private Transfer from/to Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $387
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
- Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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 dayPai $42Guilin $39
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
-
Fresh Coconut Drink$1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
- 1 Day Congjiang Ethnic Dong Village Private Tour from Guilin: $219
- 1 Day Guilin Sanjiang Tour to Dong Villages: $169
- 1 Day Guilin Tour: Village Visit, Waterfall Viewing, Hiking: $230
- 1 Day Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Biking Adventure: $72
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide: $209
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $209
- 1 Day Private Cruise Tour at Li River from Guilin with Biking: $198
- 1 Day Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Tour: $202
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $172
- 1 Day Relaxing Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Tour: $205
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Guilin $5.81
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Guilin, we can see that Pai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Guilin?
Guilin 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 Guilin in the Summer?
Both Guilin and Pai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Pai is around the same temperature as Guilin in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Guilin. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Pai or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.
In the autumn, Pai is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Guilin averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pai usually receives more rain than Guilin. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Pai or Guilin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pai as well as Guilin. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Pai is generally much warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Guilin. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Pai or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.
It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is much warmer than Guilin in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Guilin. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Pai
| Pai | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.