Which place is cheaper, Tianjin or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Tianjin?
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 Tianjin. 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 Tianjin?
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.
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $51Tianjin $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $51, while the average daily cost in Tianjin is $78. 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 Tianjin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $29Tianjin $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $58Tianjin $70
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Tianjin
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Tianjin? 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 $4.11Tianjin $37
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:
- Chiang Mai #1 Way Private Car transfer to/from Bangkok City: $300
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai with Temples Visit: $255
- Skyline Jungle Luge Ticket + Lunch with Private Transfer: $250
- Private Transfer to/from Mae Sot: $240
- Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Temples Tour with Premium Transfer: $240
- Private Transfer to/from Mae Sot: $225
- Chiang Mai #Private Car transfer to/from Mae Sot: $216
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: $170
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Chiang Rai: $165
- Chiang Mai's Top 2 Activities with Return Airport Transfers: $161
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $157
- Private Transfer: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure ride: $155
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Airport: $280
- Private Transfer Tianjin International Cruise Port to Beijing: $228
- One Way Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing with Guide: $216
- Private One Way Tianjin Port Transfer to Beijing including Great Wall Sightseeing: $198
- Private Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall from Tianjin City: $178
- Private Tianjin Port Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $178
- Private Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Great Wall of China with Beijing Drop-Off: $168
- Tianjin Port Pick-up and Beijing Hotel Drip-off Transfer with Private Driver : $155
- Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
- Tianjin Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Pass and Eastern Qing Tombs: $132
- Tianjin International Cruise Port Pick up or Drop off with Private Transfer: $130
- Beijing Daxing or Capital Int’l Airport Private Departure Transfer from Tianjin : $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Tianjin?
Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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 $12Tianjin $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 $14Tianjin $11
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.
- 9 Hours Nature Tour in Inthanon National Park From Chiang Mai: $71
- Chiang Mai Thapae Muay Thai Boxing Stadium Ticket: $31
- One Day Doi Inthanon National Park Small Group Guided Tour: $44
- Private Tour of Sacred Sakyant Tattoo in Lamphun Province.: $88
- 1 Day Doi Inthanon Private tour ( Hiking and Sightseeing ): $107
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $142
- 1 Day Private Tour White Temple and Renewed Doichang Coffee: $188
- 1 Hr Chiang Mai Buggy Tour (Off-Road): $166
- 1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang: $135
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure: $90
- 2 Days 1 Night Non Tourist Trek: $135
- 2 Days Hiking Tour in Chiang Mai: $123
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- 4- Hour Tianjin Local Food & Tea Tour: $49
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $120
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Porcelain House with Bullet Train Experience: $240
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
- From Tianjin Xingang Port: Private 2-Day Beijing Tour: $550
- Huangyaguan Great Wall Layover Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $265
- One Day Huangyaguan Great Wall And Qing Tomb Tour Of Beijing: $260
- Private Beijing Shopping Tour with Bullet Train Experience from Tianjin: $269
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.65Tianjin $11
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 Tianjin, we can see that Tianjin 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin 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 Tianjin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Tianjin?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Tianjin, 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 Tianjin?
Tianjin 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 Tianjin in the Summer?
Both Tianjin and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Tianjin in the summer. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Tianjin fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Tianjin. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Tianjin during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Tianjin receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Tianjin. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Tianjin 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Tianjin in the Autumn?
Both Tianjin and Chiang Mai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Tianjin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chiang Mai in October average around 29°C (83°F), and Tianjin averages at about 15°C (58°F).
In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tianjin. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tianjin receives 227 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Tianjin. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Tianjin 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Tianjin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Tianjin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
Tianjin can be very cold during winter. In January, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Tianjin. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 23°C (74°F), and Tianjin fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Tianjin during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Tianjin receives 201 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Tianjin. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Tianjin -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Tianjin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Tianjin. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's very hot in Chiang Mai this time of the year. Chiang Mai is much warmer than Tianjin in the spring. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Tianjin fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Tianjin. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tianjin receives 247 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in April than Tianjin. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Tianjin 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tianjin and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Tianjin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 4 mm (0.2 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.