Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chiang Mai or Vancouver?
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 Vancouver. 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 Vancouver?
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $45Vancouver $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $45, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $142. 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 Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $26Vancouver $87
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $52Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.61Vancouver $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$1.09
-
Moped Rental$4.89
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: $273
- Skyline Jungle Luge Ticket + Lunch with Private Transfer: $250
- Private Transfer to/from Mae Sot: $218
- Private Transfer to/from Mae Sot: $205
- Chiang Mai #Private Car transfer to/from Mae Sot: $196
- Zipline Adventure at Chiang Mai with Return Transfer: $192
- Private Transfer: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure ride: $155
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $154
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Chiang Rai: $150
- Chiang Mai's Top 2 Activities with Return Airport Transfers: $145
- Chiang Mai Private Transfer to Pai (one way): $145
- Private Airport Transfer to or from Chiang Rai: $128
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
-
SkyTrain from Airport$6.40
-
Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
-
15 min Taxi Ride$8.78
-
SkyTrain DayPass$6.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Vancouver Airport (YVR) Transfer to Whistler: $611
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport YVR: $602
- Private Transfer from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler: $571
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $511
- Vancouver Airport(YVR): Transfer to Canada Place Cruise Port: $428
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $428
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Private Transfer, Langley, BC to Vancouver International Airport-VIP Sedan: $280
- Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ City Sightseeing Tour Private: $277
- Private Transfer from Vancouver (YVR) Airport to Vancouver City: $270
- Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $258
- Private Transfer, Vancouver Intl. Airport to Vancouver, BC - VIP, SEDAN : $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $10Vancouver $31
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)$5.30
-
Roti Snack (Bread)$0.65
-
Casual Breakfast$1.09
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.43
-
Mangoes$0.82
-
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 Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
-
All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $94
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Evening Cruise with Dinner Buffet: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $13Vancouver $36
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$35
-
Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.63
-
Kratong Lessons$2.72
-
Pedicure$4.08
-
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
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $234
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,413
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $456
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $583
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Vancouver's Gardens: $334
- 5 Days in Vancouver Multiactivity Adventure Tour: $2,413
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $710
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $837
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $6.73Vancouver $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
-
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 Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $139
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $165
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver 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 Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
Vancouver 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 Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver 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 much warmer than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Vancouver. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Vancouver during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver 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 Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chiang Mai in October average around 29°C (83°F), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Vancouver. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 23°C (74°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Vancouver. 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 Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
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 Vancouver. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.