Which place is cheaper, Chiang Rai or Abu Dhabi?
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 Abu Dhabi or Chiang Rai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Chiang Rai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Chiang Rai?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Chiang Rai
If you find yourself dreaming of a vacation in Northern Thailand, consider the metropolitan city of Chiang Rai. This centrally located capital of the Chiang Rai province provides an excellent home base for exploring the surrounding areas. While it serves well as a home base, it has its own charms worth wandering.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesChiang Rai Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Chiang Rai $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Chiang Rai is $51. 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 Abu Dhabi and Chiang Rai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Chiang Rai $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Chiang Rai $38
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Chiang Rai
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Chiang Rai? 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: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Chiang Rai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Chiang Rai $3.48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
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Car Rental$31
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Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Yas Water world Abu Dhabi With Optional Transfer: $105
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $251
- Warner Bros World and Ferrari World Combo Ticket with transfer from Dubai: $204
- Warner Bro's with Private Transfers from Dubai: $279
- Ultimate Snow Park Abu Dhabi Package with transfer option: $71
- Transfer from Abu Dhabi to Dubai City: $150
- Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $31
- Teams Lab Phenomena Experience in Abu Dhabi with Transfers option: $56
- TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Experience with Optional Transfers: $65
- Snow Abu Dhabi Indoor Snow Park Adventure with Transfers: $75
- Private direct transfer from Abu Dhabi to Dubai: $129
- Private UAE Transfer from Airport Hotel and Intercity Transfers: $36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Rai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Chiang Rai:
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Bus to White Temple$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Chiang Rai Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $30
- Chiang Rai Airport to Chiang Khong & Golden Triangle Transfer: $54
- Chiang Rai 4 Temples and Lalitta Cafe Full Day Tour with Transfer: $66
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $81
- Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $138
- Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Private Scenic Transfer Tour: $149
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $259
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Chiang Rai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Rai and Abu Dhabi 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 dayAbu Dhabi $78Chiang Rai $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Red Dunes 4x4 Pick Drop Dinner Shows: $39
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Live Entertainment and BBQ Dinner: $44
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $50
- Experience Abu Dhabi Yas Island by Dhow Cruise at Sea with Dinner: $55
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Camel Ride and Live Shows: $56
- Evening Desert Safari Tour with Dinner & Entertainment: $56
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Camel Ride BBQ Dinner and Live Shows: $67
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Sandboarding, Camel Ride & Dinner: $68
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Shows: $71
- Evening Abu Dhabi Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner- Standard Tour: $71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Private Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $37
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $54
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $55
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $55
- Thai Cooking Class in Chiangrai with The Market Tour: $55
- Jungle Trek and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $55
- Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour: $57
- Chiang Rai Private Thai and Akha Cooking Class with Market Visit: $61
- From Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure Group Trekking Bamboo Cooking: $61
- Chiang Rai Jungle Trekking with Bamboo Cooking and Hot Springs: $71
- Chiang Rai Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour at Suwannee: $73
- Jungle Trekking with Waterfall and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Chiang Rai $8.08
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $149
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 4 Hour Abu Dhabi City Tour - Private Tour: $265
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch: $103
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $34
- Abu Dhabi ,Private Layover Tour -6 hours: $299
- Abu Dhabi : Private Walking Tour with A guide (Private Tour): $46
- Abu Dhabi All in One Tour Tradition to Innovation: $199
- Abu Dhabi City Full Day Tour from Abu Dhabi: $157
- Abu Dhabi City Sightseeing Tour from Abu Dhabi Hotels: $100
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $222
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Half Day Join Tour Chiang Rai Pick Up Only In Chiang Rai: $26
- Half Day Joyfull Tour in Chiang Rai Downtown: $37
- Chiang Rai ATV Tour with Scenic Views Pineapple Farm and More: $37
- Chiang Rai 7 Highlights Join Tour: White Temple & Golden Triangle: $39
- One Day Group Tour Experience in Chiangrai: $40
- Explore Full-Day Tour & Lunch Buffet: $40
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $40
- Chiang Rai ATV Jungle Adventure with Waterfalls and Viewpoints: $40
- Chiang Rai Discovery Full Day Guided Tour and Free Lunch Buffet: $41
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $41
- Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park and Chiang Rai city tour: $43
- Stunning tour at Golden Triangle and 3 countries border view: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Chiang Rai $8.92
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Chiang Rai, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Chiang Rai is in Asia, 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 Chiang Rai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Rai 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 Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Chiang Rai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Chiang Rai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Chiang Rai?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Chiang Rai, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.