Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Chengdu, 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 Chengdu?
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.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
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 China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesChengdu Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $51Chengdu $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $51, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $71. 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 Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Chengdu $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Chengdu $44
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Chengdu? 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 Chengdu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.48Chengdu $6.37
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:
- 2 days tour in Chiang rai, included hotel, lunch,pick up&transfer: $186
- Chiang Rai Airport to Chiang Khong & Golden Triangle Transfer: $55
- Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Private Scenic Transfer Tour: $152
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $82
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $263
- Private Chiang Rai Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $30
- Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $139
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Sichuan Face Changing Opera With Door to Door Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Hotel to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport: $52
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Day Tour of Giant Pandas and Kuanzhai Alley with Transfer: $168
- Private Chengdu Tianfu Airport Transfer with English Support: $109
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU) to Hotel: $34
- Leshan Giant Buddha Entry Ticket with Optional Guide & Transfer: $18
- Downtown to Sichuan Opera round way transfer: $39
- Downtown to Mountain Emei round way transfer for one day service: $189
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu 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 $21Chengdu $40
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:
- Authentic Private Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $37
- Chiang Rai Private Thai and Akha Cooking Class with Market Visit: $49
- Private Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $52
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $54
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $56
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $56
- Jungle Trek and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $56
- Thai Cooking Class in Chiangrai with The Market Tour: $56
- Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour: $57
- Jungle Trekking with Waterfall and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $61
- From Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure Group Trekking Bamboo Cooking: $62
- Chiang Rai City Highlights with Traditional Dinner & Show: $105
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $39
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
- Chengdu Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.07Chengdu $17
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Half Day Join Tour Chiang Rai Pick Up Only In Chiang Rai: $26
- White Temple, Blue and Red Temple Tour from Chiang Rai: $35
- Half Day Joyfull Tour in Chiang Rai Downtown: $37
- Scenic View ATV Tour and Pineapple Farm Visit in Chiang Rai: $38
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $40
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $42
- Chiang Rai Discovery Full Day Guided Tour and Free Lunch Buffet: $42
- Explore Full-Day Tour & Lunch Buffet: $42
- Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park, around Chiang Rai city tour: $46
- Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $49
- Chiang Rai Iconic 4 Temples White Blue Red and Lalitta Cafe Tour: $51
- Chiang Rai 7 Incredible Highlights Tour Lunch Included: $56
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Panda Breeding Center Plus Chengdu City Tour: $175
- 1 Day Tea Trip in Mount Mengding with Tea Making Experience: $150
- 1 Day Wolong Panda Nature Reserve Tour: $204
- 1 day Chengdu City Highlights Mini Group tour: $102
- 1-Day Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour With the Lunch and Boat tour: $242
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Research Base and Sanxingdui Archeological Museum Tour: $256
- 1-Day Chengdu Private Tour: Dujiangyan Ancient River Irrigation and Temple Site: $213
- 1-Day Chengdu tour with Panda Base, Renmin Park,Wenshu Temple and Hot Pot Lunch: $193
- 1-Day Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch from Chengdu: $229
- 1-Day Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Irrigation System Private Tour from Chengdu: $272
- 1-Day Panda Breeding Center plus Chengdu City Tour: $189
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $8.92Chengdu $4.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chengdu Pub Crawl: $10
- Tipsy Travel: Chengdu Evening Food and Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Chengdu, we can see that Chengdu 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 Chengdu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chengdu 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 Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Chengdu, 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.