Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur. 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesKuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Kuala Lumpur $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $83. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Kuala Lumpur $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Kuala Lumpur $82
Compare Hotels in Pai and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Kuala Lumpur $7.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ~Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $77
- ~Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [MPV]: $268
- VIP Transfer by Mercedes Benz : Airport to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $87
- VIP Departure Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Airport: $202
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Kuala Lumpur APT-HTL (KUL): $28
- Transfer To Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort : $30
- Taman Negara Kuala Tahan Transfer Private Hyundai Starex: $120
- Sunway Lagoon: Ticket with Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $99
- Sunway Lagoon: Admission Ticket & 2-Way Transfer: $72
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park with Round-Trip Transfer: $94
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer (1-way): $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $42Kuala Lumpur $29
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Malaysia Cooking Classes With Local: $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Kuala Lumpur $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Sports & Thrilling White-water Rafting in Kampar River: $182
- Cameron Highland Day Tour From Kuala Lumpur By Group: $155
- Full Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour with Petronas Twin Tower Tickets: $95
- Half Day Kuala Lumpur Culture And Communities Exploration Tour: $30
- Historic And Heritage Melaka Tour: $55
- KL Tour with Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck & Batu Cave: $145
- KLCC Lake Symphony & The River of Life Tour from Kuala Lumpur: $33
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $61
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City Tour Cruise Excursion from Port Klang: $65
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Family Tour With Aquaria KLCC : $105
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Petronas Twin Tower Tickets with City Tour: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Kuala Lumpur $6.58
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Pai or Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. It's quite rainy in Pai. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Kuala Lumpur. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Kuala Lumpur. Pai usually receives less sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 200 hours of full sun in the summer.
Pai is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur in the summer. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Pai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets less rain in October than Kuala Lumpur. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 169 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Pai is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Kuala Lumpur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai is generally cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 24°C (74°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pai as well as Kuala Lumpur. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Kuala Lumpur. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the spring, Pai often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 199 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Pai this time of the year. Pai is a little warmer than Kuala Lumpur in the spring. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Pai
| Pai | Kuala Lumpur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.