Which place is cheaper, Tokyo 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 Tokyo?
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 Tokyo. 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 Tokyo?
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.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Tokyo $190
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $190. 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 Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Tokyo $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Tokyo $158
Compare Hotels in Pai and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Tokyo $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 【Haneda Airport】Luxury Private Transfer : $89
- Yokohama Private Arrival Transfer : Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port or Hotels: $231
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $352
- Private Transfers to/from Narita Airport(NRT): $79
- Private Transfer to/from Haneda Airport 7 Seater: $124
- Private Transfer from/to Yokohama Port: $191
- Private Transfer from Haneda/Narita Airport to Hotel: $308
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Yokohama Port: $67
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Hakone or Mt.Fuji: $156
- Private Customize Day Tour With Hotel Transfer: $200
- One-Way Private Transfer from Haneda Airport: $149
- Hotel Transfer to/from Disneyland or DisneySea: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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 $42Tokyo $67
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.41
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.41
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Meal at Airport$7.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tsukiji Food Tour Explore Markets and Temples in Tokyo: $18
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $21
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $34
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $34
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour : $34
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks: $44
- Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $51
- Tokyo private hidden food tour: $55
- Mastering the Grill A Ninja Yakiniku A5 Wagyu Dinner in Nippori : $56
- Tokyo Retro Backstreet Tokyo Tour Option to Add Dinner: $56
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Tokyo $71
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- 4 Hours Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour: $102
- Knife Sharpening Experience in Tokyo : $23
- Kyu-Yasuda, Kiyosumi and Hama-Rikyu Tokyo Garden Tour: $159
- Manga Artist Experience with Professional Guidance in Tokyo: $114
- Mount Fuji and Iconic Scenic Spots Day Tour : $99
- Mt. Fuji Roundtrip Tours From Shinjuku, Japan: $84
- Pick the Hours That Suit You In A Flexible Tokyo Guided Tour: $70
- Private Walking Tour Tokyo's Fukagawa Edo Museum: $102
- Shibuya Tokyo Private Photo Tour Activity: $277
- Shinjuku Mini Ramen Tour: Shoyu, Tonkotsu & Miso: $98
- Tokyo Skytree Private Walking Tour Experience With cafe inside: $184
- Akihabara Otaku Tour - 1.5h Guided Shopping: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Tokyo $34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$4.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $34
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $38
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $114
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $116
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $132
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $142
- Cultural Sake Brewery Private Tour & Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $172
- From Tokyo：Mt.fuji /Museum/Sake brewery/ 1DAY BUS TOUR: $201
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $242
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Tokyo?
Tokyo 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 Tokyo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Tokyo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Pai is generally a little warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Pai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tokyo during summer. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pai usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Tokyo 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Pai or Tokyo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pai as well as Tokyo. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Tokyo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Pai is much warmer than Tokyo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Tokyo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In the autumn, Pai often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pai usually gets less rain in October than Tokyo. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Tokyo 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Pai or Tokyo in the Winter?
Both Tokyo and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Tokyo averages at about 5°C (42°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during winter. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pai usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Tokyo 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Pai or Tokyo in the Spring?
Both Tokyo and Pai during the spring 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 spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of 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 Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the spring, Pai often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun.
Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pai usually gets less rain in April than Tokyo. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Tokyo 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tokyo and Pai
| Pai | Tokyo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.