Which place is cheaper, Picton 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 Picton?
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 Picton. 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 Picton?
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.
Picton
Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.
The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesPicton Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Picton $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Picton is $101. 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 Picton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Picton $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Pai and Picton
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Picton? 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 Picton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Picton -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:
- Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $134
- Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $121
- Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $120
- Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Picton?
Prices for flights to both Picton 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 $42Picton $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Picton
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Picton.
- CRUISE SHIP DAYS - HOP ON HOP OFF - Wine, Beer, Food Tour: $58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Picton $109
Tours and Activities in Picton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Picton are as follows:
- 1-Day Cruise in Queen Charlotte Track & Kupes Trail Walk: $119
- 3.5 Hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise: $66
- Bays and Bush Flight Scenic Tour: $95
- Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton: $89
- Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise: $95
- Depart Marlborough Sounds Afternoon Seafood Cruise: $90
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Flight Experience our Water and Wilderness Scenic Tour: $178
- From Havelock to Marlborough Sounds Postie's Day Off Cruise: $83
- From Marlborough Sounds Cruise with Seafood: $104
- From Private Wine and Gourmet Tour of Marlborough: $575
- Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Picton $34
Sample the Local Flavors in Picton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:
- Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $39
- Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg : $41
- Marlborough: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $75
- Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $77
- Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
- CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
- Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
- Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
- Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101
- Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Picton, we can see that Picton 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. Even though Pai is in Asia and Picton is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Picton Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Picton?
Picton 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 Picton in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Picton. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Picton this time of year.
In July, Pai is generally much warmer than Pictonin January. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Pictonin January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Picton 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Pai or Picton in the Autumn?
Both Picton 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 travelers come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.
Pai is much warmer than Picton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives more rain than Pictonin April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Picton 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Pai or Picton in the Winter?
Both Picton 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, many visitors come to Picton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Picton averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.
Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pai usually gets less rain in January than Pictonin July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Picton 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Pai or Picton in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Picton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Pictonin October. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Pictonin October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Picton 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Picton and Pai
| Pai | Picton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.