Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima 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.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
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Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesNakhon Ratchasima Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $53Nakhon Ratchasima $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $53, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $58. 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 $20Nakhon Ratchasima $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $40Nakhon Ratchasima $44
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 $3.67Nakhon Ratchasima $5.19
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$1.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $23
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $71
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$1.57
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Bus to Vientiane$1.57
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 $22Nakhon Ratchasima $30
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
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $57
- From Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure Group Trekking Bamboo Cooking: $57
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $57
- One Day Trekking Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure and Bamboo Cooking: $57
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $57
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $147
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.50Nakhon Ratchasima $6.68
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $43
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $143
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $102
- Chiang Mai - Full Day Chiang Rai &Golden Triangle Tour with Lunch: $199
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Highlights & Scenic Landscapes Tour: $408
- Chiang Rai 7 Incredible Highlights Tour Lunch Included: $57
- Chiang Rai City Temples Private Day Tour: $191
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $114
- Chiang Rai Half-Day City Highlights Tour: $86
- Chiang Rai Join Day Tour: $43
- Chiang Rai Mountain Adventure: Doi Mae Salong & Doi Tung: $127
- Chiang Rai Private Bespoke Sightseeing Tour: $86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.39Nakhon Ratchasima $12
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.
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 Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Nakhon Ratchasima?
Chiang Rai has a larger population, and is about 78760 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and 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 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.