Which place is cheaper, Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
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 Kyoto. 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 Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Kyoto $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $118. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Kyoto $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Kyoto $132
Compare Hotels in Pai and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Kyoto $7.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $107
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $82
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $113
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $226
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $248
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $155
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $142
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kyoto Station: $71
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $42Kyoto $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Sushi & Tempura Cooking Class: $48
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Sushi Cooking Class (Making three types of sushi): $48
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $54
- 1 hour Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki cooking class in Kyoto: $61
- Kyoto Ramen Spoon Painting & Michelin Cooking Class : $61
- Dinner with Maiko: $62
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $69
- Kyoto Udon and Tempura Cooking Class with Professional Chefs: $72
- Kyoto Ramen Bowl Painting and Michelin Cooking Class: $75
- Ramen Bowl Painting & Cooking in Gion, Kyoto: $75
- Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Kyoto $13
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Explore Nara in a Day Van Tour from Kyoto: $164
- Kyoto K Drama GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
- Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $158
- Kyoto Sake Tasting Shared Tour Experience: $58
- Osaka Kyoto Experience Japanese Homogi: $138
- Quick Kyoto Tour for the First-Timers by Local Tour Guide: $60
- 1 Day Kyoto Tour with a Local Guide: $150
- 1 Day Private Sightseeing Tour in Kyoto: $211
- 1-Day Kyoto Uji & Nara Tour with Tea Ceremony: $126
- 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $44
- 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience: $70
- 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $629
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Kyoto $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $41
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $101
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $102
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $162
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $227
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Kyoto?
Kyoto 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 Kyoto in the Summer?
Both Kyoto 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Kyoto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Kyoto averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Kyoto. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun.
Kyoto 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 July than Kyoto. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kyoto in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Kyoto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
In October, Pai is generally much warmer than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kyoto. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kyoto in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pai as well as Kyoto. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Kyoto. Pai is much warmer than Kyoto in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Kyoto fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 140 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Kyoto. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kyoto in the Spring?
Both Kyoto and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Kyoto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is much warmer than Kyoto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Kyoto averages at about 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Pai
| Pai | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.