Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Toronto?
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 Toronto. 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 Toronto?
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.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $45Toronto $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $45, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $205. 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 Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $26Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $52Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Toronto? 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 Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.61Toronto $32
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:
- Zipline Adventure at Chiang Mai with Return Transfer: $192
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $12
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $12
- Skyline Jungle Luge Ticket + Lunch with Private Transfer: $250
- Private Vehicle: Transfer from Airport in Chiang Mai: $21
- Private Van: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer : $45
- Private Transfer: Four Seasons Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport: $24
- Private Transfer: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure ride: $155
- Private Transfer Chiang Mai Airport to Hotel in Chiang Mai by Car and Van: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Private Car: Chiang Mai Airport Transfers : $25
- Private Arrival Transfer - Chiang Mai Airport to Chiang Mai City Hotel(SHA Plus): $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$27
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Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Business Car: $293
- Round-Trip Transfer Between Billy Bishop Toronto (YTZ) Airport and Niagara Falls: $267
- Private Transfer from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara: $238
- Private Transfer from Toronto Pearson Airport to Toronto: $223
- Private Arrival Transfer. Pearson Airport to Kitchener/Waterloo : $215
- Private Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Pearson Airport : $208
- Private Transfer:Toronto Airport or Collingwood - Blue Mountain Resort One way: $202
- Private Transfer: Pearson Int’l Airport (YYZ) to Niagara Falls, ON: $197
- Toronto Pearson Airport arrival transfer (Airport to any Hotel or Address): $197
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara on the Lake,Canada: $178
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara Falls, Canada: $178
- Toronto Airport Private Transfer to Downtown : $176
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto 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 $10Toronto $66
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
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $66
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $73
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Scenic Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $76
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $80
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Father's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Mother's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $93
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Toronto Food Tour with Local Foodie, Personalized & Private: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $13Toronto $31
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.
- 9 Hours Nature Tour in Inthanon National Park From Chiang Mai: $71
- Chiang Mai Thapae Muay Thai Boxing Stadium Ticket: $28
- One Day Doi Inthanon National Park Small Group Guided Tour: $40
- Private Tour of Sacred Sakyant Tattoo in Lamphun Province.: $79
- 1 Day Doi Inthanon Private tour ( Hiking and Sightseeing ): $96
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $128
- 1 Day Private Tour White Temple and Renewed Doichang Coffee: $188
- 1 Hr Chiang Mai Buggy Tour (Off-Road): $150
- 1-Day Bike and River Kayak Adventure from Chiang Mai: $64
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure: $82
- 10km Rafting with 8Adventures from Chiang Mai Include Pickup & Lunch : $103
- 2 Days 1 Night Non Tourist Trek: $123
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
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CN Tower at night for Two$36
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.32
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Hour Private Guided Photography Tour in Toronto: $186
- 14-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto: $200
- 2 Hour Toronto City Tour: $48
- 3-day Eastern Canada Tour from Toronto: $259
- 60-Minute Toronto Sightseeing Harbour Tour: $28
- 7-Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto: $111
- Admission Ticket: Explore Canada in Miniature Scale: $34
- Algonquin Park Hiking: Adventure Tour from Toronto: $139
- Best of Niagara Falls Tour with Optional Boat and Helicopter Ride: $66
- Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise: $140
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.21
- Bus to Grotto - Tobermory Flowerpot Island Cruise Bruce Peninsula: $148
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $6.73Toronto $22
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 Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Outdoor Escape Game: $8.07
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto : Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $38
- Toronto Distillery District self-guided walking tour & hunt: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $39
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $41
- Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Canadian Wine Tasting Experience: $128
- From Niagara Wine Tours: $131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Toronto, 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 Toronto?
Toronto 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 Toronto in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Toronto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toronto this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Toronto. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Toronto in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Toronto. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chiang Mai in October average around 29°C (83°F), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Toronto. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Toronto in the Winter?
Both Toronto and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. In January, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 23°C (74°F), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Toronto. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Toronto in the Spring?
Both Toronto and Chiang Mai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's very hot in Chiang Mai this time of the year. Chiang Mai is much warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than Toronto. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.