Which place is cheaper, Johor Bahru or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Johor Bahru?
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 Johor Bahru. 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 Johor Bahru?
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.
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $51Johor Bahru $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $51, while the average daily cost in Johor Bahru is $60. 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 Johor Bahru in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $29Johor Bahru $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $58Johor Bahru $84
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Johor Bahru
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Johor Bahru? 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 Johor Bahru Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $4.11Johor Bahru $13
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:
- Private Airport Transfer - Chiang Mai International Airport: $4.21
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer to Hotel Or From Hotel To Airport : $6.01
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $9.67
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Chiangmai Town: $9.87
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $10
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $14
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Arrival Shared Transfer: $15
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Departure Shared Transfer: $15
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Mae Rim Hotel: $16
- Private Arrival Transfer : Chiang Mai International Airport (SHA Plus): $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:
- Johor Bahru to Cameron Highland Hotels (Door to Door) Private Transfer: $235
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Transfer [Car]: $210
- Singapore Universal Studio & S.E.A Aquarium-COMBO One-Day Pass(Shared transfer): $206
- LEGOLAND Malaysia Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $180
- Johor Hotels to Malacca Hotels (Door to Door) Transfer: $140
- Universal Studios Singapore + Roundtrip Transfers: $130
- Private Transfer : Johor Bharu (JB) to Kuala Lumpur (KL): $130
- Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $125
- Universal Studios Singapore Full Day pack with Two way Transfers: $125
- Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $125
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]: $120
- Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Ipoh Transfer [Van]: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Johor Bahru?
Prices for flights to both Johor Bahru 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 $12Johor Bahru $9.70
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johor Bahru
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johor Bahru.
- City Lights Cruise (Saturday) with 5 Course Seated Dinner: $200
- City Lights Cruise with Buffet Dinner + Free flow Wine & Beer: $216
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Johor Bahru $7.97
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
Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:
- *15 Hrs Melaka Escorted Van Tour from Johor Bahru w' Tour Guide: $114
- *15Hrs Kuala Lumpur Van Tour from Johor Bahru w' Tour Guide: $130
- 1 Day Legoland Malaysia Ticket: $23
- Admission Ticket to Universal Studio Singapore: $86
- Breakfast Cruise with International Breakfast (Buffet): $140
- Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour, Johor Bahru (Direct Entry): $25
- Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Admission Ticket: $34
- Experience Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $21
- Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $4.79
- Fun and Adventurous Experience at Cove Water Park : $46
- Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 150 mins Self Ride Tour (Single): $173
- Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 30mins Self Ride Tour (Double): $86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.65Johor Bahru $5.19
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 Johor Bahru, we can see that Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Johor Bahru?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Johor Bahru. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Johor Bahru, 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.