Which place is cheaper, Chongqing 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 Chongqing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Chongqing, 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 Chongqing?
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.
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesChongqing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $51Chongqing $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $51, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $113. 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 Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Chongqing $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Chongqing $106
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Chongqing
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Chongqing? 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 Chongqing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.48Chongqing $20
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 Rai 4 Temples and Lalitta Cafe Full Day Tour with Transfer: $67
- Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Private Scenic Transfer Tour: $150
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $81
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $260
- Private Chiang Rai Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $30
- Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $138
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Private Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $29
- Private Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Airport (CKG): $30
- Private Transfer from Chongqing hotel to Chongqing Train Station: $27
- Private Transfer from Chongqing Railway Station to City Hotel: $52
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG): $60
- Private Departure Transfer:Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport CKG: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG): $29
- Private Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $49
- Private Chongqing International Airport Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) to Hotel: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Chongqing?
Prices for flights to both Chongqing 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 $21Chongqing $46
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:
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $54
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $55
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $55
- Jungle Trek and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $55
- Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour: $57
- Chiang Rai Private Thai and Akha Cooking Class with Market Visit: $61
- From Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure Group Trekking Bamboo Cooking: $61
- Private Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $65
- Chiang Rai Jungle Trekking with Bamboo Cooking and Hot Springs: $71
- Chiang Rai Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour at Suwannee: $73
- Jungle Trekking with Waterfall and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $76
- Suwannee Thai Cooking and Market Visit from Chiang Rai: $77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
- Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
- Be a Chongqinger - wet market tour &cooking class & paper cutting: $89
- Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
- Chongqing Food Tour: $93
- Private Food Tour and Magical Night View: $107
- Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner: $140
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
- Private Chongqing Night View Tour with Hot Pot or Local Dinner: $199
- From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $246
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.08Chongqing $14
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
- Half Day Joyfull Tour in Chiang Rai Downtown: $29
- Chiang Rai Tribes & Trekking: Mountain Adventure (Shared Tour): $37
- Chiang Rai ATV Tour with Scenic Views Pineapple Farm and More: $37
- Chiang Rai 7 Highlights Join Tour: White Temple & Golden Triangle: $39
- Explore Full-Day Tour & Lunch Buffet: $40
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $40
- Chiang Rai ATV Jungle Adventure with Waterfalls and Viewpoints: $40
- Chiang Rai Discovery Full Day Guided Tour and Free Lunch Buffet: $41
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $41
- Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park and Chiang Rai city tour: $43
- Stunning tour at Golden Triangle and 3 countries border view: $43
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Private Tour to UNESCO Dazu Rock Carvings from Chongqing: $261
- 1 Day Private tour to Chongqing Wulong National Geology Park: $179
- 1 Day Tour at Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Ancient Town: $248
- 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
- 3-hour Chongqing Back Alley Walking Tour: $65
- 3Days Chongqing Cyber City✖ Wulong Karst Cave Adventure: $750
- 4D3N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Chongqing to Yichang: $628
- All In One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $230
- Authentic Chongqing Walking Tour: Explore History & Local Vibe: $98
- Best of Chongqing One Day Tour: Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Eling Park, Panda: $197
- Century Cruises Chongqing to Yichang Yangzte River Tour: $61
- Chong Qing : 1949 theater historical Show Ticket: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $8.92Chongqing $7.47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Chongqing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Chongqing?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Chongqing, 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.