Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Nadi (Port Denarau), 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)?
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.
Nadi (Port Denarau)
Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
-
Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesNadi (Port Denarau) Prices
Fiji Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $52Nadi (Port Denarau) $201
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $52, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $201. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Nadi (Port Denarau) $108
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Nadi (Port Denarau) $216
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Nadi (Port Denarau)
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.58Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.93
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$1.23
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: $31
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $82
- 2 days tour in Chiang rai, included hotel, lunch,pick up&transfer: $140
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $266
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):
- Zip line ex Intercontinental Fiji with return private transfers: $213
- Zip line Fiji ex Fiji Marriot w/private return transfer: $186
- Treetops Fiji Zipline Tour with Drop off Transfer to Nadi Airport: $130
- Shuttle transfer to Nadi Airport: $50
- Shared transfer- Nadi Airport to Denarau island Fiji: $93
- Shared Transfers from Airport to Denarau: $12
- Shared Transfer To Nadi Airport from Denarau Resorts: $9.28
- Shared Departure Transfer : Hotel to Airport: $20
- Roundtrip Nadi Airport -Sofitel Resort & Spa(Private Transfer]: $28
- Round Trip Private Transfer From Nadi Airport To Your Resort: $23
- Private vehicle transfer Fiji Marriot Momi Bay to Nadi Airport: $119
- Private transfer -Nadi Airport to Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 $22Nadi (Port Denarau) $70
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: $38
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $56
- Jungle Trek and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $56
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $56
- One Day Trekking Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure and Bamboo Cooking: $56
- Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour: $57
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- Chiang Rai City Highlights with Traditional Dinner & Show: $106
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $132
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.31Nadi (Port Denarau) $33
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Half Day Join Tour Chiang Rai Pick Up Only In Chiang Rai: $27
- Half Day Joyfull Tour in Chiang Rai Downtown: $31
- Scenic View ATV Tour and Pineapple Farm Visit in Chiang Rai: $35
- White Temple, Blue and Red Temple Tour from Chiang Rai: $35
- One Day Group Tour Experience in Chiangrai: $41
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $42
- Chiang Rai Discovery: Full‑Day Guided Tour & Free Lunch Buffet: $42
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $42
- All stunning tour : Khun Korn waterfall-White Temple-Red Temple: $47
- Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $49
- Chiang Rai 7 Incredible Highlights Tour Lunch Included: $51
- ChiangRai 7 Major Sites & River view Buffet +All ticket included: $69
Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:
- "Coral Coast Adventure: Pottery, Kava, Meke, Dunes & Temple'': $121
- "Half Day Nadi Highlights Tour”: $149
- 16 Lines Zipline, Cave and Mud Spa Combo Tour with Lunch in Fiji: $167
- 6 Hours Giant Zipline Adventure Park in Fiji: $93
- Authentic Cultural and Historical Village Tour of Nadi Ex Fiji Marriott Resort: $159
- Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka): $102
- Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $180
- Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $101
- Coral Coast Tour Sand Dune to Momi Gunsite History Walk: $200
- Cultural Night Tour: $86
- Day Tour Exploration of Fiji Culture and Nature: $230
- Discover Coral Coast & Natadola Beach Tour: $95
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.18Nadi (Port Denarau) $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Nadi (Port Denarau), we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Rai is in Asia and Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
Chiang Rai has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Nadi (Port Denarau). When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.