Which place is cheaper, Mumbai or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Mumbai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Mumbai, 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 Mumbai?
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.
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in India, and The Best 2-Week Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $42Mumbai $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $42, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $69. 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 Mumbai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Mumbai $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Mumbai $68
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Mumbai
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Mumbai? 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 Mumbai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.46Mumbai $7.73
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
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $165
- SUV Private car Chiang Mai transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $165
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $156
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: $150
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $134
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $132
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $86
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $55
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $29
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Mumbai Airport: $47
- Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $67
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Port to Mumbai Int Airport (BOM): $50
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $67
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Downtown: $142
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Cruise Port: $69
- Private Dharavi Slum Tour Including Car Transfer: $91
- Private Arrival Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel Including VIP Assistance: $204
- Premium Mumbai guided tour with transfer: $477
- One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $34
- Private Transfer to/from Mumbai Airport: $24
- Private Sightseeing Tour with Hotel Transfers: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Mumbai?
Prices for flights to both Mumbai 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 $13Mumbai $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
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- 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 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Discover Mumbai's street & beach with Vegetarian food tour: $13
- Mumbai Sunset Street Food Tour: $14
- Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
- Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Authentic Street Food Tour: $21
- Food Tour with Unlimited Tastings, Bazaar, Temples, & More: $21
- Mumbai Walking Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $22
- Unique Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $24
- Bombay Street Food Tour: $25
- Mumbai Food Tour: $25
- Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.02Mumbai $2.65
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Chiang Rai Temples Tour in Thailand: $93
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- 4 Days Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: $1,562
- Akha Hill Tribes, Chiang Saen, Mae Sai & Golden Triangle Day Tour : $106
- Akha Home Cookery Experience Half Day Trip: $117
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $169
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $163
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $147
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $139
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $99
- Bus Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang: Amazing Experience: $56
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai & Doi Mae Salong Tea Plantation Tour: $354
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Dharavi Authentic Slum Tour: $114
- "Best of Mumbai (Guided Full Day Sightseeing City Tour)": $132
- "Highlights of Mumbai Guided Half Day Sightseeing City Tour: $76
- "Local A True Insider’s Tour": $36
- "Mumbai Highlights: An Immersive 6-Hour Half-Day Tour": $36
- "Religions of Mumbai (Guided Half Day Sightseeing City Tour): $83
- 2 Days Mumbai City tour with Elephanta Caves: $160
- 2 Hours Dharavi Slum Tour With Local Guide: $12
- 3 Hours Early Morning in South Mumbai Heritage Bicycle Tour : $49
- 5 Hours Private Tour in Mumbai City: $74
- 7 Hour Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour By Navv Om Namaha Shivaya: $123
- All In One Combo Tour of Mumbai City, Dabbawalas, Dhobhi Ghat, Slums & Bollywood: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.03Mumbai $3.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $40
- Mumbai Pub Crawl: History, Iconic Bars, Cocktail Workshop, Stories and Drinks : $90
- Mumbai Private Bar Crawl with City Night Tour: $124
- Nashik: Private Full-Day Wine Tour with Tastings From Mumbai: $128
- Wine Tasting Tour Sula Vineyards Nashik - (Day excursion from Mumbai): $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Mumbai, we can see that Mumbai 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 Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai 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 Mumbai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Mumbai?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Mumbai, 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.