Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $42Chengdu $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $42, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $51. 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 $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Chengdu $42
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.46Chengdu $6.05
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: $176
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $133
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $131
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $155
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $18
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $85
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $54
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $24
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $164
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai with Temples Visit: $246
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- [Airport Transfer] Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Kosheng City Transfer High reputation for service! : $22
- Sichuan Face Changing Opera With Door to Door Private Transfer: $52
- Round-Trip Private Transfer between Emei Shan and Chengdu City: $113
- Private Transfer to Leshan Giant Buddha: $98
- Private Transfer from Chengdu to Sanxingdui Museum: $150
- Private Transfer from Chengdu to Mount Emei and Stops at Leshan Giant Buddha: $160
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Chengdu Hotel: $52
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Hotel to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport: $52
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Downtown to Airport: $140
- Private Round-Trip Transfer:Chengdu Shuangliu Airport or Chengdu : $67
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu : $28
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 $13Chengdu $22
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 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: $55
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $61
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $66
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $69
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $78
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $90
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $95
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $141
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
- Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $75
- Half-Day Chengdu Farm Cooking Class & Spice Market Exploration: $75
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $76
- Tuk Tuk Food Tour with Unlimited Beer and Soda: $79
- Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
- Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
- Spicy Local Food Tour through Chengdu: $80
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.02Chengdu $16
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang: Amazing Experience: $36
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $38
- Chiang Rai:Guide with lunch full day Highlight Tour: $38
- Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch: $38
- Temple Treasures & Popular Sightseeings (Buffet): $39
- Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour with Thai Lunch: $39
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- Unforgettable tour of Chiangrai: $40
- Explore the adventures of Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle: $40
- Chiangrai Full day: Popular 8 Place+Free Opium museum ticket: $43
- Day tour visit the most popular in Chiang Rai: $45
- Day tour visit the top attractions in chiang rai: $45
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chengdu Private Day Tour to the Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi Old Town: $248
- Chinese Traditional Massage Experience In Chengdu: $90
- Private Chengdu Panda Base and Sichuan Cuisine Museum Day Tour: $120
- Private Chengdu day Tour of panda base with Leshan giant Buddha: $298
- Private Full Day Chengdu Panda Base and Jinsha Site Museum Tour: $136
- Private Leshan Buddha Day Tour with Local Market visiting: $160
- 1 day Chengdu City Highlights Mini Group tour: $102
- 1-Day Chengdu Ancient History and Culture City Tour: $179
- 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Discovery:Jinsha,Shu Brocade Museum & Dufu Cottage Tour : $189
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.03Chengdu $4.01
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.