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 $58Chongqing $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $58, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $113. 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 $3.97Chongqing $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$1.19
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Moped Rental$5.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai Airport CNX Private Departure Transfer: $69
- Chiang Mai 2026 Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival with Transfer: $95
- Chiang Mai ATV and 5 km White Water Rafting with Hotel Transfer: $58
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Private Arrival Transfer: $69
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $183
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer – Arrival or Departure: $25
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer with Hotel Drop-off: $29
- 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: $52
- Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Temples Tour with Premium Transfer: $240
- Chiang Mai Highlights: Top 2 Tours & Airport Transfers Included: $276
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
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Airport 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: $56
- Private Transfer from Chongqing Railway Station to City Hotel: $52
- Private Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $49
- Private Chongqing International Airport Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) to Hotel: $39
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)$5.82
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.72
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Casual Breakfast$1.19
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.97
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Mangoes$0.90
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Coffee$1.49
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
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $28
- Chiang Mai Lanna Thai Cooking Class with Mae Malai Market: $28
- Chiang Mai Cooking Class Adventure Tour: $28
- Morning Thai cooking class: $28
- Evening Thai cooking class: $28
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $28
- Chiang Mai Thai Cooking Class at Grand Canyon and Market Tour: $28
- Half-Day Cooking Class: $28
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai: $28
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Chaing Mai by Tomyumthai School: $28
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
- Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
- Be a Chongqinger - wet market tour &cooking class & paper cutting: $89
- Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
- Chongqing Food Tour: $93
- Private Food Tour and Magical Night View: $107
- Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner: $140
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
- Private Chongqing Night View Tour with Hot Pot or Local Dinner: $199
- From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $246
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$1.79
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Kratong Lessons$2.98
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Pedicure$4.48
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.37
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: $3.57
- Relaxing Daycation Massage Experience in Chiang Mai: $9.20
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car – 3 Hours Experience: $12
- Chiang Mai Old City Temple Tour: $14
- Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Interactive 3D Museum Experience: $14
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $16
- Chiangmai Temple And City Walking Tour with ex monk Part 1: $17
- FAM Fahlanna Art Museum Admission Ticket, Chiang Mai: $17
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples 3 hour Twilight Walking Tour: $18
- Chiang Mai Temples & Old City Hidden Gems Small Group Tour 2 Hrs: $18
- Chiang Mai Farm Life & Khao Soy Tasting on a Half Day Boat Tour: $19
- Chiang Mai 2-Hr Canal Tour: Local Life & Thai Herb Garden: $20
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 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 Tour at Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Ancient Town: $248
- 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
- 3-hour Chongqing Back Alley Walking Tour: $65
- 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
- Best of Chongqing One Day Tour: Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Eling Park, Panda: $197
- Century Cruises Chongqing to Yichang Yangzte River Tour: $61
- Chong Qing : 1949 theater historical Show Ticket: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.39Chongqing $7.47
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$2.98
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: $15
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.