Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chiang Rai or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Boracay, 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 Boracay?
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.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
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 in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $44Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $44, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $20Boracay $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $40Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Boracay? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.61Boracay $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Rai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Chiang Rai:
-
Bus to White Temple$1.24
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
- Chiang Mai Transfer: $165
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $134
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $132
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $156
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $18
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $86
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $55
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $22
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: $150
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $152
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $83
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $106
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer to Boracay: $51
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $55
- Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $35
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $44
- Caticlan Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $27
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $70
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay 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
-
Food Meals for one dayChiang Rai $13Boracay $14
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
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $60
- The Adventure of Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $62
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $66
- 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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.36Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch: $39
- Chiang Rai:Guide with lunch full day Highlight Tour: $39
- Temple Treasures & Popular Sightseeings (Buffet): $39
- Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour with Thai Lunch: $39
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $40
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- Group tour in Chiang rai: $41
- Highlights temple tour with tasting and scenery in chiangrai: $41
- Unforgettable tour of Chiangrai: $41
- Explore the adventures of Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle: $41
- Chiangrai Full day: Popular 8 Place+Free Opium museum ticket: $43
- From Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai White, Blue & Red 3 Temples Tour: $45
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $32
- Aklan Tibiao Antique Tour : $190
- Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $64
- Beyond Jungle-River Adventure & Sunset Cruise: $40
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.18
- Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
- Boracay Buggy Car Adventure: $105
- Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
- Boracay E-trike Land Tour: $20
- Boracay Eco-Hopping Tour: $87
- Boracay Helicopter Tour with Red Whale Party Yacht: $228
- Boracay Hopping Tour with Standard Boodle Fight Lunch: $37
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.42Boracay $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Boracay, we can see that Boracay is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Rai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Rai 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 Boracay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boracay than you might in Chiang Rai.
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 Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Boracay?
Chiang Rai has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Boracay, 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.