Which place is cheaper, Kampong Cham or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Kampong Cham?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Kampong Cham, 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 Kampong Cham?
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.
Kampong Cham
Kampong Cham is the sixth largest city in the country, located in the east of Cambodia. Just two and a half hours away from Phnom Penh is a surprisingly large province by the same name. Kampong Cham is the capital of this province, a quiet town on the west side of the Mekong River. While the town does not cater to tourists like other large cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the charm of Kampong Cham lies in the beauty and simplicity of local life. Visitors will also get a glimpse into agricultural life on the plantations of rubber trees, tobacco and cashews.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $39Kampong Cham $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $39, while the average daily cost in Kampong Cham is $31. 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 Kampong Cham in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $17Kampong Cham $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $34Kampong Cham $40
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Kampong Cham
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Kampong Cham? 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 $3.18Kampong Cham $7.67
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$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- SUV Private car Chiang Mai transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $149
- Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $83
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $22
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $122
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $22
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $77
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $32
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $141
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $119
- Chiang Khong Border Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Kampong Cham?
Prices for flights to both Kampong Cham 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 $12Kampong Cham $6.46
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:
- Authentic Private Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $33
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $47
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $50
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $57
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $68
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $82
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $86
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $7.38Kampong Cham $5.76
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $30
- 4 Days Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: $1,406
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $152
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $132
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $89
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $125
- Chiang Rai - Temple Tour: $154
- Chiang Rai City and Temples Tour: $66
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $71
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $57
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $57
- Chiang Rai Night Tour by TUK TUK: $57
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $8.32Kampong Cham $5.47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Kampong Cham, we can see that Chiang Rai is more expensive. And not only is Kampong Cham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kampong Cham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kampong Cham 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 Chiang Rai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chiang Rai than you might in Kampong Cham.
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 Kampong Cham Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Kampong Cham?
Chiang Rai has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Kampong Cham. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Kampong Cham, 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.