Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Kao-hsiung, 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 Kao-hsiung?
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.
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.
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Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesKao-hsiung Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $52Kao-hsiung $129
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $52, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $129. 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 Kao-hsiung in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Kao-hsiung $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Kao-hsiung $116
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Kao-hsiung
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Kao-hsiung? 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 Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.58Kao-hsiung $12
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$1.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Chiang Rai Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $31
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- Chiang Rai Airport to Chiang Khong & Golden Triangle Transfer: $56
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $83
- 2 days tour in Chiang rai, included hotel, lunch,pick up&transfer: $141
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $266
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $84
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
- Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer: $50
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $265
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Kao-hsiung?
Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung 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 $22Kao-hsiung $56
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
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $55
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $56
- One Day Trekking Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure and Bamboo Cooking: $56
- Jungle Trek and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $56
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $57
- Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour: $57
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- Chiang Rai City Highlights with Traditional Dinner & Show: $107
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $133
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.
- Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.31Kao-hsiung $21
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
- Half Day Joyfull Tour in Chiang Rai Downtown: $31
- Scenic View ATV Tour and Pineapple Farm Visit in Chiang Rai: $35
- White Temple, Blue and Red Temple Tour from Chiang Rai: $35
- One Day Group Tour Experience in Chiangrai: $41
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $42
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $42
- From 7 wonder Full-Day Tour and Thai Buffet lunch: $42
- Chiang Rai Discovery: Full‑Day Guided Tour & Free Lunch Buffet: $42
- Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park, around Chiang Rai city tour: $47
- All stunning tour : Khun Korn waterfall-White Temple-Red Temple: $47
- Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $50
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- Alishan Join-in Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $86
- Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: Fo Guang Shan x Lotus Pond x Pier-2: $62
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
- From Kaohsiung Private Tainan Historical Highlights Tour: $128
- Full-Day Private Guided Tour in Kaohsiung Port Shore: $300
- Kaohsiung Area Classic Tour: $300
- Kaohsiung City Walking and Night Market Tour: $70
- Kaohsiung Cultural Day: TourMoon World, Hakka Lei Cha DIY, Pier-2: $73
- Kaohsiung Departure - Alishan National Park Day Tour: $220
- Kaohsiung Departure - Namasya Indigenous Community Day Tour: $220
- Kaohsiung Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Kaohsiung departure - Chartered tour: $300
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.18Kao-hsiung $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Kao-hsiung?
Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Kao-hsiung, 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.