Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou?
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 Guangzhou. 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 Guangzhou?
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.
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Chiang Mai Prices
Thailand PricesGuangzhou Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $61Guangzhou $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $61, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $104. 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 Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $30Guangzhou $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $60Guangzhou $116
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Guangzhou? 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 $4.18Guangzhou $14
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$1.26
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Moped Rental$5.65
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: $71
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $14
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Private Arrival Transfer: $71
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Round Trip Private Transfer: $143
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $190
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $14
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer – Arrival or Departure: $25
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer – Hotel or Airport: $7.96
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfer by Private Van – Arrival or Departure: $54
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfers by Private Car: $32
- Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Temples Tour with Premium Transfer: $240
- Chiang Mai Highlights: Top 2 Tours & Airport Transfers Included: $287
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Shenzhen Day Tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Private Transfer: $255
- Guangzhou Layover Visa-Free Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $200
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN) to Shekou Port: $194
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou city hotels to Shekou Cruise Port: $176
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $170
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $135
- Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer in English-speaking: Airport to Hotel: $99
- Guangzhou Night Pearl River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer: $96
- Private Transfer in Guangzhou with Fluent English Speaking Driver: $90
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou 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 $21Guangzhou $34
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)$6.12
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.75
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Casual Breakfast$1.26
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.28
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Mangoes$0.94
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Coffee$1.57
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 Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $10
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $10
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $22
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $22
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $22
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Morning Thai cooking class : $29
- Evening Thai cooking class : $29
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $29
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai : $29
- Cooking class in organic garden and local market tour ThaiCottage: $29
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Cultural Show Tour in Chiang Mai: $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Old Town Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $79
- Shenzhen Cantonese Dim Sum Cooking Class with Lunch: $86
- Food Tour - Eat Like Local + Rice Roll Workshop: $96
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $160
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Pearl River Night Cruise and Karaoke Tour with Buffet Dinner in Guangzhou: $179
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Morning Tea, Cantonese Opera, and Food Tour: $183
- Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Guangzhou $18
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$41
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.88
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Kratong Lessons$3.14
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Pedicure$4.71
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.65
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car 3 Hour Adventure: $13
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car – 3 Hours Experience: $13
- Old Town History and Culture Walking Tour at Chiang Mai: $15
- Art in Paradise: Chiang Mai 3D Art Museum Experience: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $16
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $16
- Chiang Mai Farm Life & Khao Soy Tasting on a Half-Day Boat Tour: $17
- Chiangmai Temple And City Walking Tour with ex monk Part 1: $18
- Bua Thong Waterfalls Adventure Experience : $18
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples 3 hour Twilight Walking Tour : $18
- Muay Thai Ticket Thapae Boxing Stadium Chiang Mai Live Fight: $19
- Chiang Mai Temples Visit Walking Tour with Ex-Monk Guide Part 2: $19
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 1-Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private City Tour: $185
- 3-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King Tomb in Guangzhou: $91
- 4-Hour Baiyun Mountain Yuntai Garden Private Guangzhou City Tour: $180
- 4-Hour Flexible Private Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Options: $153
- 4-Hour Private Flexible Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Option: $100
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King & Academy of Clan Chen in Guangzhou: $91
- 5-Hour Private Guangzhou Yumcha Tasting with Local Food Market Experience : $118
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- 6-Day Guangzhou to Guilin Scenic Tour: $1,598
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.78Guangzhou $14
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$3.14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Guangzhou, we can see that Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Guangzhou, 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.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Guangzhou in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Guangzhou. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Guangzhou in the summer. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Guangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 220 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in July than Guangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Guangzhou 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Guangzhou in the Autumn?
Both Guangzhou and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
In the autumn, Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Guangzhou. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chiang Mai in October average around 29°C (83°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 25°C (76°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Guangzhou during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 192 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Guangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Guangzhou 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Guangzhou in the Winter?
Both Guangzhou and Chiang Mai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 23°C (74°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Guangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 133 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Guangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Guangzhou 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Guangzhou in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Guangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
It's very hot in Chiang Mai this time of the year. Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Guangzhou in the spring. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Guangzhou during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 78 hours of full sun in the spring.
Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Guangzhou 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Guangzhou and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Guangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
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.