Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Chongqing?
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 Chongqing. 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 Chongqing?
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.
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Chiang Mai Prices
Thailand PricesChongqing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $59Chongqing $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $59, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $112. 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 Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $29Chongqing $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $58Chongqing $106
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Chongqing
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Chongqing? 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 and Chongqing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $4.03Chongqing $20
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$1.21
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Moped Rental$5.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Baan Tawai Woodcarving Workshop with Transfers from Chiang Mai: $50
- Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai Airport CNX Private Departure Transfer: $71
- Chiang Mai 2026 Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival with Transfer: $97
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Private Arrival Transfer: $71
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Round Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $190
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer – Arrival or Departure: $25
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfer CNX and Chiang Mai Hotels: $21
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfer CNX and Chiang Mai Hotels: $21
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfer by Private Van – Arrival or Departure: $53
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfers by Private Car: $31
- Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Temples Tour with Premium Transfer: $240
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Wulong 5-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $687
- Wulong 3-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- 5-Day Private Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- Private One Way Transfer (English Service) between Airport & Hotel & Cruise Port: $99
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG): $60
- Jiangbei International Airport Transfer 24h Services: $58
- Chongqing Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $55
- Chongqing Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Private Transfer from Chongqing Railway Station to City Hotel: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Chongqing?
Prices for flights to both Chongqing 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 $20Chongqing $46
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)$5.90
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.73
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Casual Breakfast$1.21
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.05
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Mangoes$0.91
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Coffee$1.51
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
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $27
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $28
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $28
- Half-Day Cooking Class: $28
- Morning Thai cooking class: $28
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $28
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai: $28
- Khantoke Dinner at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center: $29
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $30
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
- Be a Chongqinger - wet market tour &cooking class & paper cutting: $59
- Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
- Chongqing Local Food Tour Adventure: $86
- Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
- Chongqing Food Tour: $93
- Private Food Tour and Magical Night View: $107
- Chongqing City Tour with Lunch and Dinner Transportation: $140
- Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner: $140
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner or Massage: $150
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Chongqing $14
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$1.82
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Kratong Lessons$3.03
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Pedicure$4.54
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.45
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Chiang Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.54
- Tube Trek Water Park Tickets in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai: $9.95
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car – 3 Hours Experience: $12
- Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Interactive 3D Museum Experience: $14
- Chiang Mai River Cruise with Thai Farmers House and Khao Soi: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $16
- FAM Fahlanna Art Museum Admission Ticket, Chiang Mai: $17
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples 3 hour Twilight Walking Tour: $18
- Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall & Dantewada Cafe Tour From Chiang Mai: $19
- Best Seller! Doi Suthep & Wat Umong Night Tour: $19
- Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium Real Muay Thai Fight Night Show Ticket: $20
- Chiang Mai Mae Ping River Cruise and Thai Farmer House Visit: $20
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Chongqing Culture Tour Art Street Tea House and Folk Alleys: $173
- 1 Day Private Tour to UNESCO Dazu Rock Carvings from Chongqing: $261
- 1 Day Private tour to Chongqing Wulong National Geology Park: $179
- 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
- 3Days Chongqing Cyber City✖ Wulong Karst Cave Adventure: $750
- 4D3N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Chongqing to Yichang: $628
- All In One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $230
- Authentic Chongqing Walking Tour: Explore History & Local Vibe: $98
- CHONGQING City Guided Hiking Day Tour: Lens, Bites & Hidden Steps: $87
- China Chongqing 520m high Eye Skyview Deck Ticket: $10
- Chong Qing : 1949 theater historical Show Ticket: $59
- ChongQing Guanyinqiao: A 3-Hour Urban Adventure: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.50Chongqing $7.43
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$3.03
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: 4 Venues, Beer Buffet & VIP Entry: $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Chongqing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Chongqing?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Chongqing, 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.