Which place is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Chiang Mai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Chiang Mai, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Chiang Mai?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $127Chiang Mai $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $127, while the average daily cost in Chiang Mai is $45. 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 Aqaba and Chiang Mai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Chiang Mai $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Chiang Mai $52
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Chiang Mai
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Chiang Mai? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Chiang Mai $3.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Amman: Day Trip Petra & Wadi Rum Guided Tour with Transfer: $490
- Private Transfer: From Amman City To Wadi Rum: $209
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193
- Aqaba Or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea, Jordan: $185
- Aqaba King Hussein Airport (AQJ): Transfer to Aqaba hotels: $163
- Private Transfer from Araba Border to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Amman Hotels: $133
- Private Transfer from Wadi Rum to Amman Airport: $133
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border : $133
- Aqaba South Beach to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $130
- Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Ma'in Hotel: $120
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.09
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Moped Rental$4.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2-Day Transfer Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai by Sleeper Bus : $83
- Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai Airport CNX Private Departure Transfer: $27
- Chiang Mai #1 Way Private Car transfer to/from Bangkok City: $270
- Chiang Mai #Private Car transfer to/from Mae Sot: $195
- Chiang Mai : Sticky Waterfalls transfer: $22
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): One-Way Private Transfer: $12
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Four Seasons Hotel: $24
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Round Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $76
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $13
- Chiang Mai Airport PRIVATE Arrival or Departure Transfer : $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Chiang Mai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Mai and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $42Chiang Mai $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $64
- 4 hour desert jeep tour with overnight in beduin camp including dinner&breakfast: $85
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner : $88
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner Under the Stars: $135
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- From Aqaba to Wadi Rum ,Jeep Tour with Dinner (Half Day): $185
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.32
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.65
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Casual Breakfast$1.09
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.46
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Mangoes$0.82
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Coffee$1.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $11
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $11
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $19
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $22
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $22
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $24
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $24
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $25
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Chiang Mai $13
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour in Jeep Tour with Bedouin Guide: $81
- Discover the Depths: Aqaba's Ultimate private Dive Experience: $55
- Full-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum without Overnight Stay: $85
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $47
- 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum : $84
- 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $136
- 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
- 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
- 2 Days private tour Petra, Wadi Rum (overnight) from Amman: $682
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with Bedouin guide (incl. bottled water and tea): $100
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$35
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.64
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Kratong Lessons$2.73
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Pedicure$4.09
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.91
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Scavenger Hunt City Tour for Your Smartphone: $7.65
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $12
- Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $14
- Tweechol Botanic Garden Half Day Adventure : $14
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs: $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Chiang Mai $6.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$2.73
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Bars & Pubs in Chiang Mai!: $9.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Chiang Mai, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Chiang Mai 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 Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Chiang Mai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Chiang Mai, 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.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Chiang Mai?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Aqaba or Chiang Mai in the Summer?
Both Chiang Mai and Aqaba during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Chiang Mai. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Chiang Mai. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 146 hours of full sun.
Aqaba can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Aqaba is generally a little warmer than Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 33°C (91°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)Chiang Mai 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Chiang Mai in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Chiang Mai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Chiang Mai during autumn. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 226 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Aqaba is around the same temperature as Chiang Mai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)Chiang Mai 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Chiang Mai in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Chiang Mai. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Chiang Mai. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the winter, Aqaba often gets less sunshine than Chiang Mai. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 283 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Aqaba is much colder than Chiang Mai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aqaba in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 23°C (74°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)Chiang Mai 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Chiang Mai in the Spring?
Both Chiang Mai and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September. In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chiang Mai during spring. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's very hot in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In April, Aqaba is generally cooler than Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 24°C (75°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)Chiang Mai 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Chiang Mai and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Chiang Mai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.