Which place is cheaper, Hefei or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Hefei?
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 Hefei. 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 Hefei?
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.
Hefei
While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai, 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 $51Hefei $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $51, while the average daily cost in Hefei is $64. 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 Hefei in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $29Hefei $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $58Hefei $58
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Hefei
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Hefei? 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 $4.11Hefei $17
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$1.24
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Moped Rental$5.56
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 : $93
- ATV Riding and Grand Canyon Chiang Mai Include Pickup Transfer: $100
- Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai Airport CNX Private Departure Transfer: $28
- Chiang Mai #1 Way Private Car transfer to/from Bangkok City: $300
- Chiang Mai #Private Car transfer to/from Mae Sot: $216
- Chiang Mai : Sticky Waterfall transfer by van (half-day ): $29
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): One-Way Private Transfer: $18
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $14
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Private Arrival Transfer: $28
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Round Trip Private Transfer: $56
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $157
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Hefei?
Prices for flights to both Hefei 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 $12Hefei $21
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)$6.02
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.74
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Casual Breakfast$1.24
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.18
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Mangoes$0.93
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Coffee$1.54
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: $12
- Chiang Mai : Small Group Thai Cooking class with market tour: $19
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Garden Chiang Mai: $23
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $24
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $24
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $25
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $25
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $27
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $27
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $28
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Hefei $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$1.85
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Kratong Lessons$3.09
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Pedicure$4.63
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.56
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.17
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $13
- 3 Hour Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Historical and Culture Exploration Walking Tour: $15
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $15
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City Twilight Walking Tour: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples 3 hour Twilight Walking Tour : $18
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $18
- Chiangmai: Temple Walking Tour with ex-monk, part 1.: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.65Hefei $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$3.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Nightlife in Town!: $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Hefei, we can see that Hefei 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 Hefei would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hefei 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 Hefei Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Hefei?
Hefei has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Hefei, 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 Hefei?
Hefei 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 Hefei in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Hefei. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Hefei. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Hefei averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Hefei. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Hefei. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 171 mm (6.7 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)Hefei 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hefei in the Autumn?
Both Hefei 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 Hefei. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Hefei fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Hefei. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 66 mm (2.6 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)Hefei 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hefei in the Winter?
Both Hefei 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.
Hefei can be very cold during winter. Chiang Mai is much warmer than Hefei in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Hefei fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Hefei. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 30 mm (1.2 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)Hefei 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hefei in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Hefei. 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 Hefei. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Hefei averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Hefei. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 95 mm (3.7 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)Hefei 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hefei and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Hefei | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (1 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.