Which place is cheaper, Mandalay or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Mandalay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Mandalay, 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 Mandalay?
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.
Mandalay
Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $42Mandalay $9.45
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $42, while the average daily cost in Mandalay is $9.45. 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 Mandalay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Mandalay $5.60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Mandalay $11
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Mandalay
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Mandalay? 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 $3.46Mandalay -
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 Khong Border Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $177
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $134
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $132
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $156
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $18
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $86
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $55
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $24
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: $150
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $165
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:
- Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
- Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
- Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
- Mandalay Airport Private Transfer : $43
- Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
- Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
- From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
- From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $200
- Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
- Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Mandalay?
Prices for flights to both Mandalay 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 $13Mandalay $3.85
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.
- Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.02Mandalay -
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
Tours and Activities in Mandalay
Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
- 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
- A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
- Adventure Road Trip from Mandalay to Monywa – Bagan : $174
- Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $85
- Amarapura,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $75
- Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing : $75
- Ancient Capitals of Myanmar Tour: $110
- Ancient City Tour in Mandalay : $70
- Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $105
- Full Day Adventure: $153
- Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura : $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.03Mandalay -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Mandalay, we can see that Chiang Rai is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay 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 Mandalay.
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 Mandalay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Mandalay?
Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Mandalay, 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.