Which place is cheaper, Kathmandu or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Kathmandu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Kathmandu, 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 Kathmandu?
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.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $42Kathmandu $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $42, while the average daily cost in Kathmandu is $56. 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 Kathmandu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Kathmandu $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Kathmandu $80
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Kathmandu
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Kathmandu? 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 Kathmandu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.46Kathmandu $6.88
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 Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $22
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $24
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $25
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $29
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $55
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $86
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $134
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: $150
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $156
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
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Taxi Ride$1.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara in Deluxe Tourist AC Sofa Bus: $28
- Shared Bus Transfer from Kathmandu to Salleri: $50
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Hotels to Domestic Airport Vehicle: $20
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu Domestic Airport to Hotel Vehicle : $20
- Private Sunrise or Sunset Tour of Nagarkot with return transfers from Kathmandu: $129
- Private Luxury Car Transfer all over Nepal: $93
- Private Day Hike from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan with Transfer: $130
- Private Car Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan or Vv: $90
- Private Arrival Transfer Kathmandu Airport to Kathmandu, Nepal: $45
- Pokhara: Private Transfer to Kathmandu by Car: $93
- Pokhara: One way transfer To or From Kathmandu: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Kathmandu?
Prices for flights to both Kathmandu 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 $13Kathmandu $8.22
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:
- Chiang Mai: Traditional Thai-Akha Cooking Class& Market Tour: $43
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $52
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $55
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $59
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $61
- The Adventure of Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $62
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $69
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $79
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $142
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.34
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Dinner for Two$2.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Nepali Dinner and cultural dance Show: $5.00
- Nepali Cooking Class & Momo Making with Pickup: $5.42
- Nepali Cooking Class & Momo Making with Pickup: $6.00
- Nepali Cooking Class & Momo Making with Pickup: $8.00
- Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
- Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
- Cooking Class in Nepal: $25
- Private Half -Day Cooking Class with Meals: $26
- Private Nepali Cooking Class (Dal Bhat and MoMo): $27
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Local Food Tour in Thamel Kathmandu: $30
- Half day cooking class in Thamel kathmandu: $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.02Kathmandu $7.95
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $38
- Chiang Rai:Guide with lunch full day Highlight Tour: $39
- Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch: $39
- Temple Treasures & Popular Sightseeings (Buffet): $39
- Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour with Thai Lunch: $39
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- Group tour in Chiang rai: $41
- Highlights temple tour with tasting and scenery in chiangrai: $41
- Unforgettable tour of Chiangrai: $41
- Explore the adventures of Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle: $41
- Chiangrai Full day: Popular 8 Place+Free Opium museum ticket: $43
- Popular Sightseeing Tour 7 places , Buffet Lunch: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Monkey Temple for Two$1.49
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.72
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.49
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- 1 Nights 2 Days Private Nagarkot Tour Package from Kathmandu: $150
- 4-Hour Private Car Sunrise tour over Mount Everest in Nagarkot: $129
- Chandragiri Hills Private Tour: $20
- Discover Kathmandu Valley: A Day Tour Through Time and Tradition: $96
- Hire Tour Guide Nepal : $81
- One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $116
- Private Full Day Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square Sightseeing from Kathmandu: $145
- Two Days Sightseeing in Kathmandu Tour UNESCO Heritage sites: $150
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
- 1 Day Cycling Tour in Kathmandu: $310
- 1 Day Rock Climbing Tour near Kathmandu Valley: $190
- 1 Day Valley Rim Biking Tour in Kathmandu: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.03Kathmandu $5.71
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $12
- Local Food and Wine Tasting in Kathmandu : $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Kathmandu, we can see that Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Kathmandu, 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.