A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Chiang Rai vs. Chiang Mai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, 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 Chiang Mai?

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.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $33, while the average daily cost in Chiang Mai is $38. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chiang Rai $15
    Chiang Mai $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chiang Rai $30
    Chiang Mai $44
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai

Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai? 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.

Hotels in Chiang Rai


Hotels in Chiang Mai


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 Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chiang Rai $2.68
    Chiang Mai $3.06
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
    $1.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai

Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Chiangmai Airport Private Transfer to Chiangrai Hotels: $145
  • Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $75
  • Transfer in Chiang Rai: $34
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $19
  • Chiang Rai Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $17
  • Chiang Rai Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $17

Typical Local Transportation prices in Chiang Mai

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $1.15
  • Moped Rental
    $5.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai

Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Zipline Adventure at Chiang Mai with Return Transfer: $200
  • Transfer in Chiangmai: $27
  • Transfer from Chiang Mai Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport: $24
  • Transfer from Chiang Mai Airport to Chiang Mai Hotel: $24
  • Thai Massage Treatments - Luxury Spa with Hotel Transfer: $53
  • Thai Luxury Spa Packages with Hotel Transfer: $57
  • Sukhotha Private Transfer To Chiang Mai Town: $200
  • Siam Dragon Cabaret Show : Ticket + Transfer Service: $24
  • Private Van: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer: $26
  • Private Transfer: Chiang Mai to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $22
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $13
  • Private Car: Chiang Mai Airport Transfers: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai?

Prices for flights to both Chiang Mai 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 day
    Chiang Rai $9.72
    Chiang Mai $8.60

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:

  • Thai Cooking Class: $51
  • Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $52
  • 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $60
  • Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $73
  • Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $73
  • Thai Lanna Cooking Class: $87

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)
    $5.60
  • Roti Snack (Bread)
    $0.69
  • Casual Breakfast
    $1.15
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.75
  • Mangoes
    $0.86
  • Coffee
    $1.44

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:

  • Evening Thai cooking class by Aromdii Cooking School: $27
  • Half Day Cooking Class Including Market Tour from Chiang Mai: $28
  • Private Dining: Thai family dinner in Chiang Mai: $28
  • Thai Khantoke Dinner & Cultural Dance Show with Transfers: $29
  • Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Cultural Dance Show Tour: $29
  • Khum Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show at Chiang Mai Admission Ticket: $29
  • Khum Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show in Chiang Mai Admission Ticket: $29
  • Authentic Lanna Dinner and Shows (Khan Toke) in Chiang Mai: $30
  • Khum Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show at Chiang Mai Admission Ticket: $34
  • Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $34
  • Khantoke Dinner with Show: $35
  • Full-Day Cooking Class Including Market Tour from Chiang Mai: $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chiang Rai $6.22
    Chiang Mai $11

Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai

For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Day Trip White Temple - Tea Plantation - Longneck - Cruise to Laos Market: $105
  • 1 Day trip to White Temple, Longneck Village and Cruise at Maekong River: $105
  • 10 Days Thailand Grand Tour: $1,664
  • Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $146
  • Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $117
  • Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $116
  • Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $116
  • Balloon Chiang Rai-Soft Adventure and Nature Touch Activity: $410
  • Chaing Rai food & night market walking tour with local host: $69
  • Chaing Rai food & night market walking tour with local host: $69
  • Chiang Rai - Best of Mae Kam Pong (Community Ecotourism) Hiking & Sightseeing: $125
  • Chiang Rai - Temple Tour: $154

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
    $37
  • Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket
    $1.72
  • Kratong Lessons
    $2.87
  • Pedicure
    $4.31
  • Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)
    $5.17

Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.

  • 1 Day Doi Inthanon Private tour ( Hiking and Sightseeing ): $118
  • 1 Day Private Sightseeing Tour at Doi Inthanon: $115
  • 1 Day Private Tour Morning Buddhist Almsgiving , Doi Suthep ,White Temple: $144
  • 1 Day Private Tour The Best Temples and Northern Food Style in Chiang Mai: $94
  • 1 Day Private Tour to The Best Hidden Trekking and The Temple: $134
  • 1 Day Sukhothai Historical Park from Chiang Mai Private Tour: $180
  • 1 Day Tour - Samoeng Loop Highlights: $241
  • 1 Day Tour – Doi Inthanon, Riding High: $255
  • 1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang: $122
  • 1-Day Bike and River Kayak Adventure from Chiang Mai: $66
  • 2 Day Trekking Tour: $100
  • 2 Days 1 Night Pai+Lod Cave Private Tour: $177

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chiang Rai $7.01
    Chiang Mai $5.69

Typical Alcohol prices in Chiang Mai

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:


  • Wine
    $2.87

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, we can see that Chiang Mai 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.

Related Articles for Chiang Rai
BangkokChiang MaiHat YaiPattayaPhuketAyutthaya

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Chiang Rai vs. Chiang Mai Travel Comparison

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