Which place is cheaper, Bangalore or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chiang Mai or Bangalore?
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 Chiang Mai and Bangalore. 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: Chiang Mai or Bangalore?
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.
Bangalore
Bangalore is the capital city of the state of Karnataka, in India. It's also India's third largest city with a population of about 8.5 million. It's considered one of the most liveable cities in the country and was historically known for its many gardens and lush green spaces. Today those areas are all but gone, having given way to the growing population and sprawling metropolises. Bangalore is also the information technology hub of the country and is sometimes referred to as India's Silicon Valley.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in India, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in India.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $49Bangalore $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $49, while the average daily cost in Bangalore is $44. 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 Chiang Mai and Bangalore in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $28Bangalore $20
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $56Bangalore $40
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Bangalore
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Bangalore? 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.94Bangalore $9.65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$1.19
-
Moped Rental$5.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wat Doi Suthep & Wat Phalat transfer (air conditioned van): $17
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $9.67
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $9.67
- Transfer: Chiang Mai to Huay Xai City, Laos: $50
- Transfer : From Chiang Mai to ChiangKhong Border,Chiang Rai: $47
- Skyline Jungle Luge Ticket + Lunch with Private Transfer: $250
- Siam Dragon cabaret show : Ticket & Optional Transfer: $25
- Private Vehicle: Transfer from Airport in Chiang Mai: $21
- Private Transfer: Four Seasons Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport: $27
- Private Transfer: Chiang Mai to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $27
- Private Transfer: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure ride: $155
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: $169
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangalore
Also for Bangalore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vineyard Tour to Beautiful Nandi Hills including Wine Tasting & Private Transfer: $238
- A Private Transfer: From Chennai to Bangalore Car & Driver: $179
- From Private Transfer to Hubli Car & Driver: $172
- From Mysore guided day tour with transfers: $166
- From One-Way Transfer to Wayanad Car & Driver: $143
- From Private Transfer to Chennai Car & Driver: $143
- From One-Way Transfer to Ooty Car & Driver: $134
- From Private Transfer to Chikmagalur Car & Driver: $124
- Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru City -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $81
- Bannerghatta Park Day Tour Safari with Private Transfer: $55
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bengaluru International Airport to Bangalore Hotels: $54
- One-Way Private City Transfer Mysore & Bangalore: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Bangalore?
Prices for flights to both Bangalore and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $11Bangalore $13
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
-
Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.78
-
Roti Snack (Bread)$0.71
-
Casual Breakfast$1.19
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.93
-
Mangoes$0.89
-
Coffee$1.48
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 Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $12
- Chiang Mai : Small Group Thai Cooking class with market tour: $19
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $22
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $24
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $25
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $25
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $25
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Garden Chiang Mai: $25
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $27
- We Cook Thai Home Garden Cooking School: $27
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bangalore : Street Food tour and Local Market Visit.: $17
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Family: $33
- Indian Cooking Class in Bangalore with an Award Winning Chef: $54
- Discover Bangalore's Cuisine: Private Half-Day Cooking Experience: $60
- Private South Indian Cooking Class in Bangalore with a Local: $62
- South Indian Cooking Class in Mysore with Devika: $66
- Private In-Home Cooking Demonstration and Meal in Bangalore: $68
- 3-Hour Private Cooking Lesson and Meal in a Bangalore Home: $74
- Cooking experience in Bangalore, a half day tour: $101
- Authentic Indian Cooking Class: $149
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Bangalore $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Thai Cooking Class$39
-
Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.78
-
Kratong Lessons$2.96
-
Pedicure$4.45
-
Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.33
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- 9 Hours Nature Tour in Inthanon National Park From Chiang Mai: $71
- Private Tour of Sacred Sakyant Tattoo in Lamphun Province.: $88
- 1 Day Doi Inthanon Private tour ( Hiking and Sightseeing ): $107
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $142
- 1 Hr Chiang Mai Buggy Tour (Off-Road): $166
- 1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang: $135
- 2 Days 1 Night Non Tourist Trek: $135
- 2 Days Hiking Tour in Chiang Mai: $123
- 2 day overnight adventure off road scooter tour; Amaz views: $99
- 2-Day Chiang Dao and Mae Taeng Valley active tour: $256
- 2024 Chiang Mai Heritage Sky Lanterns Festival Tickets（Nov 15）: $119
- 2D1N Mae Wang National Park Jungle Trekking Adventure from Chiang Mai: $93
Tours and Activities in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Full-Day Bangalore City Tour: $73
- Sacred Bull walking tour in Bangalore with guide: $47
- (Mysuru) Mysore Day Out - A Royal Experience Private Tour from Bangalore: $130
- 03 Nights / 04 Days, Bangalore with Ooty Hill Station Tour: $519
- 04 Days, Exclusive Bangalore and Ooty Hill Station Tour: $495
- 2 Days Bangalare and Mysore Private Tour by Car: $227
- Architecture Tour of Bangalore: $76
- Authentic Shopping Experience in Bangalore for Souvenirs & Gifts: $37
- Bandipur wildlife and Mysore experience in 2 days from Bangalore: $300
- Bangalore Basavanagudi Heritage Self Guided Walking Tour: $8.54
- Bangalore City Tour (Lunch, Pick up & drop at hotel): $100
- Bangalore City Tour By Tuk Tuk!: $109
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.34Bangalore $9.03
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
-
Wine$2.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Nightlife in Town!: $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangalore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bangalore:
- pub crawl Bangalore tours: $24
- Pub Crawl Bangalore (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $35
- Pub Crawl Bangalore: $39
- Pub Crawl with Welcome Drinks, Games & Discounts: $43
When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Mai and Bangalore, we can see that Chiang Mai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Bangalore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Bangalore?
Bangalore has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Bangalore, 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.