Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura?
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 Kaikoura. 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 Kaikoura?
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.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island, situated between Christchurch and Belnheim. It has a permanent resident population of 1,971. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that surround this town collide with the Pacific Ocean, and the continental shelf edge is just offshore. The ocean in Kaikoura is very rich in marine life, especially seals and whales.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesKaikoura Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Kaikoura $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $162. 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 Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Pai and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Kaikoura? 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 Kaikoura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Kaikoura $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura 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 $42Kaikoura $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Kaikoura $152
Tours and Activities in Kaikoura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
- Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $80
- 1-Hour Private Heli-Picnic Mountain top tour in Kaikoura : $247
- 40-minute Mt Fyffe Summit Heli Tour in Kaikoura : $233
- From Christchurch: Private Kaikoura Tour with Guide: $168
- Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $112
- Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch: $242
- Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch: $216
- 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour: $768
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $93
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $93
- Private Guided Kayak Tour with Seals: $174
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura Expensive?.
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.