Which place is cheaper, Jinghong or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bangkok or Jinghong?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Jinghong can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Bangkok or Jinghong?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
Jinghong
Located in the southernmost part of the Yunnan Province, Jinghong is a city that attracts visitors each year with its rich culture and folklore, Buddhist temples, and tropical rainforest scenery of palms and mango trees amongst others. It is also an area popular with backpackers as well as a waypoint for travelers passing between China and Laos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $86Jinghong $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $86, while the average daily cost in Jinghong is $64. 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 Bangkok and Jinghong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $47Jinghong $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $94Jinghong $42
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Jinghong
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok or Jinghong? 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $6.53Jinghong $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.47
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Skytrain Ticket$4.94
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.99
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Ferry Ride$0.80
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Taxi From Airport$7.72
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Short Taxi Ride$2.78
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Boat Taxi$1.54
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Trains to airport$4.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- DMK Airport to Pattaya Private Arrival Transfer: $65
- Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
- Airport Transfer to or from Hotel in Bangkok (Private Transport): $55
- Airport transfer to Bangkok downtown: $25
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City Luxury Car: $122
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Minivan: $27
- Arrival Private Transfers from Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $97
- Arrival Private Transfers: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok in Business Car: $61
- Arrival Private Transfers: Don Mueang Airport DMK to Bangkok in Luxury Van: $84
- Arrival Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok Hotel: $17
- Ayothaya Floating Market Admission Ticket with Transfer(Optional): $9.19
- Ayutthaya: Private transfer from/to Don Muang Airport (DMK): $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Jinghong?
Prices for flights to both Jinghong and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $21Jinghong $28
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.18
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.39
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.93
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.18
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Pad Thai$2.16
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $21
- Meridian Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $21
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Dinner or Lunch & Thai Massage: $23
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $23
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $26
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $26
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $27
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $27
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $30
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $30
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $18Jinghong $9.42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.94
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.54
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.18
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$74
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Fish Pedicure$4.63
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.09
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bangkok Chinatown Eats: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Skip the Line: Ayutthaya Floating Market Admission Ticket: $5.89
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.90
- Chinatown by Night Walking Tour in Bangkok: $6.42
- A Self-Guided Tour of Bangkok's Most Picturesque Sights: $6.99
- Bangkok's Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Chinatown Mystery Quest Experience in Bangkok: $7.24
- Chinatown & Golden Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl): $10
- Three Head Giant Elephant & Erawan Museum in Bangkok Admission Ticket: $11
- Nakhon Pathom Ancient Capital Classic Day Tour: $12
- Discover a Taste of Chinatown – 2 Hr Walking Tour: $12
- Erawan Museum in Bangkok Admission Ticket: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $6.76Jinghong $5.47
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Bangkok After Dark: Pub Crawl Adventure: $23
- Pub Crawl: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Jinghong, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Jinghong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jinghong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jinghong 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok than you might in Jinghong.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Jinghong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Jinghong?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Jinghong. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Jinghong, 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.