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 $53Chongqing $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $53, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $106. 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 $20Chongqing $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $40Chongqing $100
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.67Chongqing $19
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$1.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $71
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- [Airport Transfer] Chongqing Airport ⇔ Chongqing City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $23
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) : $60
- Private One Way Transfer (English Service) between Airport & Hotel & Cruise Port: $99
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing: $24
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Hotel: $39
- Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
- Wulong 5-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $687
- Wulong 3-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- 5-Day Private Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $156
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 $22Chongqing $43
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: $38
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $57
- From Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure Group Trekking Bamboo Cooking: $57
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $57
- One Day Trekking Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure and Bamboo Cooking: $57
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $57
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $57
- Chiang Rai Night Adventure: Dinner, Cultural Show & Trishaw Ride: $121
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $147
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
- Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
- Chongqing Food Tour: $93
- 3 HR Chongqing Food Tour: $110
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
- Magical Chongqing Art Performance and Food Tour: $297
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.50Chongqing $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: $27
- White Temple, Blue and Red Temple Tour from Chiang Rai: $35
- Chiang Rai to Golden Triangle One Day Join Tour: $38
- Chiang Rai Join Day Tour: $43
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $43
- From 7 wonder Full-Day Tour and Thai Buffet lunch: $43
- One Day Group Tour Experience in Chiangrai: $43
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $44
- Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $47
- Guided Full-Day Highlights tour with Lunch: $48
- Chiang Rai:Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour-FREE LUNCH BUFFET: $48
- Chiang Rai 7 Incredible Highlights Tour Lunch Included: $57
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Chongqing Megacity Walking Tour: $117
- 1 Day Private Tour to UNESCO Dazu Rock Carvings from Chongqing: $156
- 1 Day Private tour to Chongqing Wulong National Geology Park: $168
- 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
- 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
- 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: $220
- ChongQing Guanyinqiao: A 3-Hour Urban Adventure: $80
- Chongqing 10 Hour Private Customized City Tour: $161
- Chongqing 1949 Ticket Epic Historical Spectacle: $41
- Chongqing Adventure: Underwater Museum,816 Cave&Wuling Gorge: $134
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.39Chongqing $7.01
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.