Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chiang Rai or Khao Yai National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Khao Yai National Park, 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 Khao Yai National Park?
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.
Khao Yai National Park
Adventurous travelers are always in search of new terrain to conquer. At over 2,000 square kilometers, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, and just full of jungles to trek through. In the southwest of Thailand is a sanctuary of mountains and waterfalls.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
-
Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesKhao Yai National Park Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $51Khao Yai National Park $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $51, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $82. 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 Khao Yai National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Khao Yai National Park $40
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Khao Yai National Park $80
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Khao Yai National Park
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Khao Yai National Park? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.51Khao Yai National Park $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Rai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Chiang Rai:
-
Bus to White Temple$1.20
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: $30
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $259
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $80
- Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Private Scenic Transfer Tour: $150
- Chiang Rai Airport to Chiang Khong & Golden Triangle Transfer: $54
- Chiang Rai 4 Temples and Lalitta Cafe Full Day Tour with Transfer: $53
- 2 days tour in Chiang rai, included hotel, lunch,pick up&transfer: $137
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Khao Yai National Park?
Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park 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
-
Food Meals for one dayChiang Rai $22Khao Yai National Park $32
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: $37
- Chiang Rai Private Thai and Akha Cooking Class with Market Visit: $49
- Thai Cooking Class in Chiangrai with The Market Tour: $49
- Private Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $52
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $53
- 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
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- From Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure Group Trekking Bamboo Cooking: $61
- Chiang Rai City Highlights with Traditional Dinner & Show: $104
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.13Khao Yai National Park $9.66
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Day Jungle Trekking Adventure from Chiang Rai: $107
- Akha Hill Tribes, Chiang Saen, Mae Sai & Golden Triangle Day Tour: $110
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $198
- CEI. to Phayao Prov. A day Tour : Temples- Hot Spring- Lake view: $78
- Chiang Mai - Full Day Chiang Rai &Golden Triangle Tour with Lunch: $199
- Chiang Rai 7 Incredible Highlights Tour Lunch Included: $55
- Chiang Rai Akha Culture Waterfall and Big Buddha Tour: $88
- Chiang Rai All Inclusive Day Tour: $70
- Chiang Rai Discovery: Full‑Day Guided Tour & Free Lunch Buffet: $41
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $139
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $139
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $98
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $8.98Khao Yai National Park $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Khao Yai National Park 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 Khao Yai National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Yai National Park 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 Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.
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.