Which place is cheaper, Chiang Rai or Amman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Amman or Chiang Rai?
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 Amman and Chiang Rai. 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: Amman or Chiang Rai?
Amman
Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.
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 Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmman $110Chiang Rai $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $110, while the average daily cost in Chiang Rai is $39. 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 Amman and Chiang Rai in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmman $49Chiang Rai $17
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmman $98Chiang Rai $34
Compare Hotels in Amman and Chiang Rai
Looking for a hotel in Amman 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: Amman Hotel Prices and Chiang Rai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amman $24Chiang Rai $3.18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:
-
Bus Ride (for Two)$0.71
-
RIde to Airport$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman
Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfers Queen Alia Airport or Amman from/to Petra: $242
- Wadi Rum transfer from - to Amman: $323
- Wadi Rum Private Transfer to or from Amman or Airport: $150
- Transfer from Amman or Airport to Petra with Optional Tour: $99
- Transfer Amman To/From Petra: $200
- Shuttle Transfer from Amman to Jerusalem: $79
- Queen Alia International Airport Transfers To Amman, Petra.: $257
- Queen Alia Airport and Amman Private Transfer /Multiple Destion: $41
- Queen Alia Airport Transfers: $43
- Queen Alia Airport Transfer : $21
- Private departure transfer from Amman to airport: $30
- Private Transfer: From Amman City to Airport: $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Rai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Chiang Rai:
-
Bus to White Temple$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- SUV Private car Chiang Mai transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $149
- Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $83
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $22
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $122
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $22
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $77
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $32
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $141
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $119
- Chiang Khong Border Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Chiang Rai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Rai and Amman 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
-
Food Meals for one dayAmman $34Chiang Rai $12
Typical Food Prices in Amman
For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Pastries$4.23
-
Tea$5.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman
For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Amman:Home resturant lunch and dinner: $37
- Private Day or Night Amman Sightseeing - Optional Cooking or Wine Tasting Tour : $51
- 3 course dinner with a sommelier: $56
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $71
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience : $109
- 3-Hours Guided Food Tour in Amman: $130
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Wine Experience : $173
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: $33
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $47
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $50
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $57
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $68
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $82
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $86
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $128
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amman $32Chiang Rai $7.38
Tours and Activities in Amman
For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Amman :Private day tour to Jerash and Ajloun: $81
- MT_ Private Driver - Tourist Transport and Business Services : $56
- Tour to the hidden Kingdom of the north: $300
- 01 Day Tour to Dead Sea From Amman: $220
- 1 Day Tour to Amman Jerash and Ajloun castle : $150
- 1 Day Tour: Amman and Jerash: $176
- 1-Day Tour: Amman and Dead Sea: $161
- 1-Night Private Overnight Madaba Independent Tour from Amman: $170
- 1-Night Private Overnight Wadi Mujib Independent Tour from Amman: $271
- 1Day Private spiritual Tour to Amman Madaba Baptism site Dead Sea: $150
- 2 Day Tour Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea from Amman: $300
- 2 Days Group Tour From Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba Dead sea: $264
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $30
- 4 Days Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: $1,406
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $152
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $132
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $89
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $125
- Chiang Rai - Temple Tour: $154
- Chiang Rai City and Temples Tour: $66
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $71
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $57
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $57
- Chiang Rai Night Tour by TUK TUK: $57
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmman $14Chiang Rai $8.32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Chiang Rai, we can see that Amman is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amman 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 Amman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amman 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 Amman Expensive? and Is Chiang Rai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amman or Chiang Rai?
Amman has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Amman 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.