Which place is cheaper, Newcastle 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 Newcastle?
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 Newcastle. 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 Newcastle?
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.
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesNewcastle Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Newcastle $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $117. 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 Newcastle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Newcastle $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Newcastle $90
Compare Hotels in Pai and Newcastle
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Newcastle $8.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $82
- Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $80
- Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Newcastle Airport to Newcastle - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148
- Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Newcastle?
Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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 $42Newcastle $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $69
- Earp Distilling Co: Date Night with Blending Class & Dinner: $73
- Cooking Classes at the Yellow Door Kitchen: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Newcastle $15
Tours and Activities in Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- 3- Hour Wine and Harvest the Hunter Horse Tour in Pokolbin: $93
- Shared Newcastle Harbor Cruise: $43
- 3-Hour Hunter Valley Scenic Helicopter Tour Including 3-Course Lunch from Cessnock: $270
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $40
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Fromage and Fortified Wine Experience: $53
- Award Winning Full Day Wine and Food Experience: $150
- Christmas Lunch Cruise on Newcastle Harbour: $57
- Coastal 2.5-hour Adventure Boat Tour from Newcastle: $83
- From Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Group Tour: $165
- From Sydney: Tandem Skydive Experience over Newcastle Beach: $264
- From Sydney: Tandem Skydive Experience over Newcastle Beach: $266
- Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Newcastle $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $6.66
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting : $10
- Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $11
- Newcastle Bar Crawl Experience: $15
- Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $23
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
- Wonnarua Sparkling Wine Tasting: $30
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Premium Wine Tasting: $30
- Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $33
- Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $35
- Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $35
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Newcastle, we can see that Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Newcastle?
Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Newcastle. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Newcastle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Pai is generally a little warmer than Newcastlein January. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein January. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Newcastle. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Newcastlein January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Newcastle 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Pai or Newcastle in the Autumn?
Both Newcastle and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Newcastle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Pai is a little warmer than Newcastle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Newcastle during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Newcastlein April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Newcastle 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Pai or Newcastle in the Winter?
Both Newcastle and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Newcastle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Newcastle averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.
In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Newcastlein July. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Newcastlein July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Newcastle 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Pai or Newcastle in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Newcastlein October. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Newcastle during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Newcastlein October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Newcastle 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Newcastle and Pai
| Pai | Newcastle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 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.