Which place is cheaper, Sydney 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 Sydney?
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 Sydney. 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesSydney Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Sydney $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $207. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Sydney $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Sydney $206
Compare Hotels in Pai and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Sydney $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Try find your better than us!AirportTransfer inSydney APT-HTL SYD: $62
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sydney HTL-APT (SYD): $62
- Transfer from White Bay Cruise Terminal to Sydney Airport: $27
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $251
- SYD Airport to Sydney City Centre Private Transfer: $37
- Private City, Harbour, and Bondi Tour with Transfer: $274
- Private Airport Transfer with Meet and Greet: $60
- Hunter Valley Sunrise Balloon Flight with Transfer: $363
- Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD (Chauffeur Driven): $132
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $40
- Sydney's Best Airport Arrival Transfers - Airport to CBD : $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $42Sydney $77
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.62
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Lunch Special$9.81
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.81
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Meat Pies$3.27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
- Kids Cooking Classes: $64
- Samosa and Sips Cooking Class in Little India: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Sydney $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$29
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$125
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Powerhouse Museum$9.85
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Small-Group Sydney's Northern Beaches & Ku-ring-gai Park Tour: $286
- Sunrise Serenity Kayak Tour of Sydney Harbour: $104
- #1 Blue Mountains Tour Scenic World Waterfalls Wildlife Park: $188
- 1 Day Perisher Snow Tour: $118
- 1 Day Thredbo Snow Adventure: $113
- 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour: $114
- 1 Day Thredbo Snow Tour From Sydney: $117
- 1/2 day Sydney Sightseeing and Bondi Beach Tour: $45
- 14-Day Sydney to Cairns, Fraser, Whitsundays Comfort Tour: $5,614
- 2 Hour Private Surf Lesson Experience in Wollongong: $148
- 2 Hours Running Tour in Sydney: $99
- 2-Hour Bondi Offshore Express Cruise: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Sydney $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
- Sydney's Haunted Pub Tour & Cellar visit : $26
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $33
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $84
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $104
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Sydney?
Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
Both Sydney 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. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Pai is generally a little warmer than Sydneyin January. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin January. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun.
Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Sydneyin January. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPai 29°C (85°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Pai or Sydney in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Sydney. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sydney because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Pai is much warmer than Sydney in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F)in April.
In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Sydney during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Sydney 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 Sydneyin April. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPai 29°C (84°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Pai or Sydney in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pai as well as Sydney. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.
In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Sydney. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Sydney averages at about 12°C (53°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Sydneyin July. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Sydneyin July. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPai 24°C (74°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Pai or Sydney in the Spring?
Both Sydney 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 travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Sydneyin October. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Sydney during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Sydneyin October. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPai 32°C (89°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Pai
| Pai | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 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.