Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Chengdu?
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 Chengdu. 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 Chengdu?
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.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $49Chengdu $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $49, while the average daily cost in Chengdu 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 Chiang Mai and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $28Chengdu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $56Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Chengdu? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.94Chengdu $6.05
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$1.19
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Moped Rental$5.33
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 : $92
- ATV Riding and Grand Canyon Chiang Mai Include Pickup Transfer: $100
- Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai Airport CNX Private Departure Transfer: $28
- Chiang Mai #1 Way Private Car transfer to/from Bangkok City: $300
- Chiang Mai #Private Car transfer to/from Mae Sot: $216
- Chiang Mai : Sticky Waterfall transfer by van (half-day ): $29
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): One-Way Private Transfer: $18
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $14
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $14
- Chiang Mai Airport PRIVATE Arrival or Departure Transfer : $23
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $10
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer: $240
- Chengdu Panda & Giant Buddha Day Tour With Private Transfer: $240
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $230
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Leshan Giant buddha with Round Airport Transfer: $205
- Private Transfer from Chengdu to TFU or CTU Airport: $180
- Private Transfer from Chengdu to Mount Emei and Stops at Leshan Giant Buddha: $160
- Private Transfer from Chengdu to Sanxingdui Museum: $150
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Downtown to Airport: $140
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Chengdu Tianfu Airport Private Transfer: $119
- Round-Trip Private Transfer between Emei Shan and Chengdu City: $113
- Private Transfer to Leshan Giant Buddha: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu 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
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Food Meals for one dayChiang Mai $11Chengdu $22
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)$5.78
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.71
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Casual Breakfast$1.19
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.93
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Mangoes$0.89
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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 Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Eat with Locals Chengdu Dinner Tour : $61
- Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
- Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $75
- Half-Day Chengdu Farm Cooking Class & Spice Market Exploration: $75
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $76
- Tuk Tuk Food Tour with Unlimited Beer and Soda: $79
- Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
- Spicy Local Food Tour through Chengdu: $80
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $81
- Half-Day Sichuan Cooking Class Experience in Chengdu: $84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Chengdu $16
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$39
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.78
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Kratong Lessons$2.96
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Pedicure$4.45
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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.
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.21
- Sights & Highlights Walking tour: $6.60
- Chiangmai: Temple Walking Tour with ex-monk, part 1.: $9.76
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $13
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- 3 Hour Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Chiangmai: Temple Walking Tour with ex-monk, part II: $15
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $15
- Historical and Culture Exploration Walking Tour: $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $15
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chengdu Private Day Tour to the Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi Old Town: $248
- Chinese Traditional Massage Experience In Chengdu: $90
- Private Chengdu Panda Base and Sichuan Cuisine Museum Day Tour: $120
- Private Chengdu day Tour of panda base with Leshan giant Buddha: $298
- Private Leshan Buddha Day Tour with Local Market visiting: $160
- 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Discovery:Jinsha,Shu Brocade Museum & Dufu Cottage Tour : $189
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha GROUP Tour: $144
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Research Base and Sanxingdui Archeological Museum Tour : $256
- 1-Day Chengdu Private Tour: Dujiangyan Ancient River Irrigation and Temple Site : $213
- 1-Day Chengdu tour with Panda Base, Renmin Park,Wenshu Temple and Hot Pot Lunch: $193
- 1-Day Dujiangyan Self-Guided Tour: Panda Volunteer and Water Irrigation System: $123
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.34Chengdu $4.01
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$2.96
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
When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Mai and Chengdu, we can see that Chengdu 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 Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Chengdu, 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.