Which place is cheaper, Quebec City or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Quebec City?
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 Quebec City. 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 Quebec City?
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.
Quebec City
Quebec City is the capital of the Quebec province. It has a dramatic location on the cliffs by St. Lawrence Seaway and the city's Old Town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quebec is a mid sized city with a population of about 700,000. Most of the economy is administrative and bureaucratic, but the city has a very impressive history as the fortress capital of New France. French is the official language of the entire province, but most people in the tourist areas of Quebec City speak English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $45Quebec City $127
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $45, while the average daily cost in Quebec City is $127. 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 Quebec City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $26Quebec City $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $52Quebec City $146
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Quebec City
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Quebec City? 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 Quebec City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.61Quebec City $16
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$4.89
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
- ATV Riding and Grand Canyon Chiang Mai Include Pickup Transfer: $90
- Chiang Mai #1 Way Private Car transfer to/from Bangkok City: $273
- Chiang Mai #Private Car transfer to/from Mae Sot: $196
- Chiang Mai : Sticky Waterfalls transfer: $23
- 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 Private Arrival Transfer: $27
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $77
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $13
- Chiang Mai Airport PRIVATE Arrival or Departure Transfer : $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quebec City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Quebec City are as follows:
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Parking in Quebec City$3.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quebec City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quebec City:
- Le Terminal Quebec Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Quebec: $229
- Québec Airport (YQB): Transfer to Le Terminal Quebec Port: $229
- Le Terminal Quebec Cruise Port to Quebec - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $195
- Private Arrival Transfer from Quebec Airport YQB: $120
- Private Departure Transfer to Quebec Airport YQB: $120
- Quebec Airport (YQB) to Downtown private transfer: $117
- Québec Airport (YQB) to Le Terminal Quebec Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $114
- Jean Lesage Arrivals Private Airport Transfer: $108
- Private transfer from YQB (QUEBEC) Airport to downtown: $108
- Private Transfer from Quebec City to YQB airport: $108
- Québec Jean Lesage Airport (YQB) to Québec city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
- YQB Quebec City Airport Cruise Terminal Train Station Transfer: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Quebec City?
Prices for flights to both Quebec City 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 $10Quebec City $37
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)$5.30
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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)$5.43
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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
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Garden Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai : $27
- Thai and Isaan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quebec City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quebec City.
- Dinner Cruise with Dance and VIP Option: $132
- Old Quebec 5-Course Gourmet Food Tour: $189
- Combo Historical and Food Tour of the Old Quebec City: $193
- Evening Gourmet Tour 5 Course Dinner - History and Food in Old Quebec City: $193
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $13Quebec City $24
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$1.63
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Kratong Lessons$2.72
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Pedicure$4.08
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.89
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: $7.73
- 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 : $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs: $15
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $16
Tours and Activities in Quebec City
Here are a few actual costs in Quebec City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Electric fatbike Tour of Québec City: $111
- Magnificent Montmorency Falls Private E-Bike Tour: $149
- 2-Hour Christmas Magic Tour in Old Quebec: $29
- APP Self-Guided Tours Quebec with Audioguide: $8.74
- Amazing Old Quebec City Classique Walking Tour with 1 Funicular Ticket included: $33
- Animated Crime Walking Tour in Old Quebec: $19
- Beautiful walking tour of Old Québec: $27
- Beyond the Walls Private E-Bike Tour: $179
- Bike Tour to Montmorency Falls from Quebec City: $127
- Bite-Sized Tours: $104
- City & Market Farm Tour from Québec: $34
- Electric Bike Tour of Quebec City: $126
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $6.73Quebec City $18
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$2.72
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!: $9.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Quebec City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Quebec City:
- Honey and Distillery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour: $50
- Island of Orleans Wine Tour: $91
- Wine Tasting on Ile d'Orleans: $92
- Quebec City : eTandem Rental on Ile d'Orleans-wine tasting: $116
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Quebec City, we can see that Quebec City is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Quebec City is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Quebec City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quebec City 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 Quebec City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Quebec City?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Quebec City. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Quebec City, 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.