Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Hangzhou?
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 Hangzhou. 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 Hangzhou?
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.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $45Hangzhou $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $45, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $65. 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 Hangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $26Hangzhou $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $52Hangzhou $46
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Hangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Hangzhou? 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 $3.63Hangzhou $8.11
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$1.09
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Moped Rental$4.91
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 : $83
- Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai Airport CNX Private Departure Transfer: $27
- Chiang Mai #1 Way Private Car transfer to/from Bangkok City: $270
- Chiang Mai #Private Car transfer to/from Mae Sot: $195
- Chiang Mai : Sticky Waterfalls transfer: $22
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): One-Way Private Transfer: $12
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Four Seasons Hotel: $24
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Round Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $153
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $76
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $13
- Chiang Mai Airport PRIVATE Arrival or Departure Transfer : $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Water Town and West Lake Sightseeing with Hangzhou Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $217
- Private Botique Tour: Essential Hangzhou Sightseeing with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $207
- Private Transfer to Yellow Mountain from Hangzhou: $196
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Xitang Water Town: $177
- Hangzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $173
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $165
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport To Shanghai City one way private transfer: $140
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport TransferTo Shanghai Pudong Airport: $140
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with Drop-off Options : $131
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Transfer to QianDao Lake : $131
- Private Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport from Hangzhou: $129
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Hangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Hangzhou 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 $10Hangzhou $18
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)$5.32
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.65
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Casual Breakfast$1.09
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.46
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Mangoes$0.82
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Coffee$1.36
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: $11
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $11
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $19
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $22
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $22
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $24
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $24
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $25
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.35
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Tour with Authentic Dinner: $127
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Authentic Dinner: $191
- Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen and Xitang Water Town with Dinner and Boat Ride: $282
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $13Hangzhou $20
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$35
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.64
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Kratong Lessons$2.73
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Pedicure$4.09
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.91
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Scavenger Hunt City Tour for Your Smartphone: $7.65
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $12
- Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $14
- Tweechol Botanic Garden Half Day Adventure : $14
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs: $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $16
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hangzhou Private Day Tour of West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Tea Village: $199
- West Lake Private Tour with Boat Ride and Enduring Memories Night Show VIP Seat: $242
- 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options: $112
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Highlights Tour of Lingyin Temple and West Lake: $99
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Summit and Former Residence of Xueyan Hu Private Tour: $141
- A Depth-Tour to Explore Xixi Wetland Park in Hangzhou: $246
- All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Layover Tour: $190
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Best of A Comprehensive Tour of the City's Top Sights: $153
- China Academy of Art Architecture & Longjing Tea Plantation Private Tour: $212
- Cirque Du Soleil Ticket : $120
- Classic Hangzhou Two-Day Tour Plus Tea Plantation Exploration: $256
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $6.76Hangzhou $10
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$2.73
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Bars & Pubs in Chiang Mai!: $9.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Hangzhou, we can see that Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Hangzhou?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Hangzhou, 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 Hangzhou?
Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Hangzhou. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Hangzhou. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Hangzhou averages at about 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Hangzhou. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Hangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 129 mm (5.1 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)Hangzhou 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hangzhou in the Autumn?
Both Hangzhou 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 October, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Hangzhou. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Hangzhou fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Hangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 90 mm (3.5 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)Hangzhou 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hangzhou in the Winter?
Both Hangzhou 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.
Hangzhou can get quite cold in the winter. Chiang Mai is much warmer than Hangzhou in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Hangzhou fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Hangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 59 mm (2.3 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)Hangzhou 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hangzhou in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Hangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Hangzhou. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Hangzhou averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Hangzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Hangzhou. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hangzhou receives 130 mm (5.1 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)Hangzhou 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hangzhou and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Hangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.