Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Chiang Rai vs. Nakhon Ratchasima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Nakhon Ratchasima, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima?
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.
Nakhon Ratchasima
If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $40Nakhon Ratchasima $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $40, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $41. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $18Nakhon Ratchasima $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $36Nakhon Ratchasima $40
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Nakhon Ratchasima
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Nakhon Ratchasima? 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 Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.27Nakhon Ratchasima $4.63
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$1.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $86
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Rai International Airport: $20
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $23
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $51
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $80
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $34
Typical Local Transportation prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.40
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Bus to Vientiane$1.40
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima 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 $12Nakhon Ratchasima $16
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: $34
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $49
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $52
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $61
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $66
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $74
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $132
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $7.58Nakhon Ratchasima $5.97
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 Guided Romantic Tour In Chiang Rai: $432
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $32
- 10 Days Thailand Grand Tour from Chiang Rai: $1,806
- Akha Hill Tribes, Chiang Saen, Mae Sai & Golden Triangle Day Tour : $103
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $158
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $158
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $136
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $151
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $92
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $129
- Chaing Rai food & night market walking tour with local host : $58
- Chiang Rai - Best of Mae Kam Pong (Community Ecotourism) Hiking & Sightseeing: $151
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $8.54Nakhon Ratchasima $10
When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Rai and Nakhon Ratchasima, we can see that Nakhon Ratchasima is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Chiang Rai is bigger, and its population is about 78756 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the population of Chiang Rai vs. Nakhon Ratchasima, 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 and the activities that interest you.
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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.
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