Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chiang Mai or Kao-hsiung?
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 Kao-hsiung. 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 Kao-hsiung?
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.
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $49Kao-hsiung $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $49, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $103. 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 Kao-hsiung in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $28Kao-hsiung $57
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $56Kao-hsiung $114
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Kao-hsiung
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Kao-hsiung? 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 Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.94Kao-hsiung $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$1.19
-
Moped Rental$5.33
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 : $6.02
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way) : $8.33
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $9.67
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $9.67
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $14
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $14
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Arrival Shared Transfer: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Taitung Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $158
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $102
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $81
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port: $81
- Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $73
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $73
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $51
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $51
- Kaohsiung International Airport and Kaohsiung City Transfer: $41
- Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Kao-hsiung?
Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung 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
-
Food Meals for one dayChiang Mai $11Kao-hsiung $32
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
-
Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.78
-
Roti Snack (Bread)$0.71
-
Casual Breakfast$1.19
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.93
-
Mangoes$0.89
-
Coffee$1.48
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 : $12
- Chiang Mai : Small Group Thai Cooking class with market tour: $19
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $22
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $24
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $25
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $25
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $25
- Evening 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
- We Cook Thai Home Garden Cooking School: $27
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $27
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Kao-hsiung $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Thai Cooking Class$39
-
Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.78
-
Kratong Lessons$2.96
-
Pedicure$4.45
-
Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.33
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: $4.21
- Sights & Highlights Walking tour: $6.60
- Chiangmai: Temple Walking Tour with ex-monk, part 1.: $9.76
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $13
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- 3 Hour Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Chiangmai: Temple Walking Tour with ex-monk, part II: $15
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $15
- Historical and Culture Exploration Walking Tour: $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $15
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $160
- Day Tour to Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower and Anping Castle : $87
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
- Half-day tour Kaohsiung: $103
- Kaohsiung /Pingtung Day Tour : $150
- Kaohsiung Baolai hot spring and Butterfly watching Tour: $120
- Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
- Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $150
- Kaohsiung Walking Day Tour: $130
- Kaohsiung: Experience the Riverside : $159
- Meinong and Aboriginal Village Culture One Day Tour: $120
- Private Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: $75
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.34Kao-hsiung $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
-
Wine$2.96
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 Kao-hsiung, we can see that Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Kao-hsiung?
Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Kao-hsiung, 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.