Which place is cheaper, Agra or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Agra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Agra, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Chiang Rai or Agra?
Chiang Rai
If you find yourself dreaming of a vacation in Northern Thailand, consider the metropolitan city of Chiang Rai. This centrally located capital of the Chiang Rai province provides an excellent home base for exploring the surrounding areas. While it serves well as a home base, it has its own charms worth wandering.
Agra
In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.
While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in India, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $42Agra $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $42, while the average daily cost in Agra is $44. 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 Rai and Agra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Agra $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Agra $32
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Agra
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Agra? 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 Rai Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.46Agra $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Rai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Chiang Rai:
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Bus to White Temple$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Khong Border Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $177
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $165
- SUV Private car Chiang Mai transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $165
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $156
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: $150
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $134
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $132
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $86
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $55
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $29
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Agra:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra
Also for Agra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vrindavan to Delhi private transfer: $28
- Visit to Jaipur 's Chokhi Dhani Tour on Agra to Jaipur Transfer: $73
- Transfer from Delhi to Jaipur with Tajmahal sight seeing: $187
- Transfer from Agra to Tundla railway station and vice versa: $34
- Transfer from Agra to New Delhi by Private Car: $60
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Shikri and Abhaneri: $105
- Transfer from Agra to Jaipur by Private Car: $91
- Transfer from Agra to Delhi Airport: $70
- Transfer from Agra To Jaipur Via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $89
- Transfer Agra to Delhi by Private AC Car: $75
- Transfer Agra To Jaipur Via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $60
- Transfer Agra To Jaipur By Ac Car With Fatehpur sikari.: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Agra?
Prices for flights to both Agra and Chiang Rai 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 Rai $13Agra $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chiang Mai: Traditional Thai-Akha Cooking Class& Market Tour: $43
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $52
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $56
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $59
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $61
- The Adventure of Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $62
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $69
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $79
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $91
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $96
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $142
Typical Food Prices in Agra
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Agra:
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Breakfast for Two$2.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra
For Agra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Agra Food Tour: $5.96
- Agra best Cooking class after Taj Mahal: $5.96
- Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk: $9.51
- Street Food Tour with Spice Market on Tuk-Tuk: $10
- From Local Street Food Tour By TUK-TUK: $11
- Agra Cooking Classes & Experiences (Pick up and Drop): $18
- Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
- Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
- Local Food Tour with Cooking Class in Home Agra: $21
- Old City Food Tour with Local Guide and Tastings: $23
- Cooking Class and Much More in a Local Family Home: $29
- Cooking Workshop and Vegetarian Dinner in Agra with Family: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.02Agra $20
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Chiang Rai Temples Tour in Thailand: $93
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- 4 Days Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: $1,562
- Akha Hill Tribes, Chiang Saen, Mae Sai & Golden Triangle Day Tour : $106
- Akha Home Cookery Experience Half Day Trip: $117
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $169
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $163
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $147
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $139
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $99
- Bus Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang: Amazing Experience: $56
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai & Doi Mae Salong Tea Plantation Tour: $354
Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra
For Agra, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entry to the Red Fort for Two$7.14
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Taj Mahal for Two$18
Tours and Activities in Agra
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Agra.
- Agra City Tour With Guide: $43
- Agra Local Tour with Taj Mahal : $30
- Jaipur Overnight Tour from Agra : $300
- Private Agra Local Sightseeing Tour: $47
- Private Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Day Tour: $42
- Taj Mahal Sunrise & Agra Fort Private Tour - All Inclusive: $21
- 05-Hours Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour by TUK TUK: $5.00
- 06 Hours Agra City Tour - Private: $84
- 1 Day Agra and 1 Day Jaipur Private Tour from Agra: $202
- 1 Day Private Tour of Agra - Taj Mahal & More: $35
- 11-Hour Agra Day Tour: Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal : $20
- 2 Days Jaipur City Tour from Agra: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.03Agra $9.58
When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Rai and Agra, we can see that Agra is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Rai Expensive? and Is Agra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Agra?
Agra has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Agra, 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.