Which place is cheaper, Dali 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 Dali?
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 Dali. 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 Dali?
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.
Dali
Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Chiang Mai Prices
Thailand PricesDali Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $59Dali $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $59, while the average daily cost in Dali is $66. 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 Dali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $30Dali $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $60Dali $36
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Dali
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Dali? 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 $4.08Dali $9.85
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$1.23
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Moped Rental$5.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sticky Waterfall Retreat and Chet Si Fountain Transfer: $23
- Siam Dragon cabaret show : Ticket & Optional Transfer: $25
- Shared AC Minivan Transfer Chiang Mai to Mon Jam (Return Option): $9.24
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Pai Or Pai to Chiang Mai: $175
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (one way only): $175
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Private Chiang Mai Airport Transfer to or from Mae Rim Hotels: $17
- Private Car Transfer – Chiang Mai Airport: $34
- Private Airport Transfer: Chiang Mai (CNX) ⇆ Chiang Mai Hotels: $15
- Mon Jam Direct Transfer from Chiang Mai by Shared Minivan: $10
- Hassle-Free Private Arrival Transfer from Chiang Mai Airport: $20
- Gems Gallery Chiang Mai with Round Trip Hotel Transfers: $2.34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG): $149
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Dali?
Prices for flights to both Dali 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 $20Dali $33
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)$5.99
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.74
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Casual Breakfast$1.23
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.14
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Mangoes$0.92
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Coffee$1.53
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: $13
- Evening Thai cooking class: $28
- Morning Thai cooking class: $28
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $28
- Khantoke Dinner at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center: $29
- Cooking class in organic garden and local market tour ThaiCottage: $29
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $30
- Tomyumthai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai: $30
- Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show at Chiang Mai Admission Ticket: $30
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai: $30
- Chiang Mai Thai Cooking Class at Grand Canyon and Market Tour: $31
- Cooking Class with Organic Farm in Chiang Mai at Mama Noi: $31
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.73
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Breakfast$3.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali
For Dali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cangshan Mountain hike and organic homemade dinner: $36
- Dali Ancient City Authentic Food Tour: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Dali $19
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$40
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.84
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Kratong Lessons$3.07
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Pedicure$4.60
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.53
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $162
- 1 Day Private Tour Unseen in Lamphun Province: $119
- 1 Day Sukhothai Historical Park from Chiang Mai Private Tour: $203
- 1 Day Trek and Bamboo Rafting Tour in Chiang Mai: $84
- 1 Day Trek and Sticky Waterfall Tour in Chiang Mai: $84
- 1 Hr Chiang Mai Buggy Tour (Off-Road): $169
- 1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang: $144
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure: $94
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking and 3HR Trekking Adventure: $109
- 2 DAYS MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURE Chiang Mai Chiang Dao Route: $238
- 2 Days 1 Night Rem Village and Mountain Tour with Scooter: $260
- 2 Days Hiking Tour in Chiang Mai: $125
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Dali Erhai Sightseeing Tour: $250
- 1-Day Dali Tie Dye Experience Private Tour: $230
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- 2 Hour Luxurious Driving Range Experience at Canghai Golf Club: $85
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
- Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $72
- Dali Day Tour: Scenic Lakes, Bai Heritage & Tie-Dye Workshop: $262
- Dali Donglianhua and Wuli Bridge Muslim Hui Village Private Tour: $119
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake: $186
- Dali Self Drive Scenic Road Trip for Foreign Tourists: $127
- Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.60Dali $12
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$3.07
When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Mai and Dali, we can see that Dali 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 Dali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Dali?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Dali, 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.