Which place is cheaper, Mount Kailash or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chiang Rai or Mount Kailash?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Mount Kailash, 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 Mount Kailash?
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.
Mount Kailash
The main point of entry to Mount Kailash is a small village called Darchen. Once an important sheep station for nomads and their flocks, the village has now grown to provide for the pilgrims wishing to embark towards Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It contains a number of guest houses and restaurants as well as a hotel where pilgrims must get permission from the Public Security Bureau to make the trek around the mountain. Also in the village are a handful of small stores and kiosks, as well as some grounds for camping. It is about 330 km (a one-day bus drive) from the town of Shiquanhe to the northeast, where Gunsa Airport is located, offering flights twice a week to Lhasa and Chengdu.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $44Mount Kailash $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $44, while the average daily cost in Mount Kailash is $73. 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 Mount Kailash in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $20Mount Kailash $28
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $40Mount Kailash $56
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Mount Kailash
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Mount Kailash? 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 $3.61Mount Kailash $32
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$1.24
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 Transfer: $165
- 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: $22
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: $150
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $152
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Mount Kailash?
Prices for flights to both Mount Kailash 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 $13Mount Kailash $25
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: $56
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $60
- The Adventure of Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $62
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $66
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $79
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $91
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $96
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $142
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.36Mount Kailash $16
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch: $39
- Chiang Rai:Guide with lunch full day Highlight Tour: $39
- Temple Treasures & Popular Sightseeings (Buffet): $39
- Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour with Thai Lunch: $39
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $40
- 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
- From Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai White, Blue & Red 3 Temples Tour: $45
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.42Mount Kailash $2.84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Mount Kailash, we can see that Mount Kailash 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 Mount Kailash would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mount Kailash 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 Mount Kailash 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.