A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Rai vs. Nanjing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chiang Rai or Nanjing?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Nanjing, 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 Nanjing?

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.

Nanjing

Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Nanjing or Chiang Rai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $44, while the average daily cost in Nanjing is $98. 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 Nanjing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chiang Rai $20
    Nanjing $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chiang Rai $40
    Nanjing $94
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Nanjing

Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Nanjing? 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.

Hotels in Chiang Rai


Hotels in Nanjing


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 $3.61
    Nanjing $39
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: $183
  • Chiang Mai Transfer: $170
  • Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $138
  • Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $136
  • Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $161
  • Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $19
  • Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $89
  • Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $71
  • Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $25
  • Private Transfer From Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: $155
  • Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $170
  • From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:

  • Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
  • Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing City : $44
  • Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
  • Private Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing City Center: $94
  • Private Transfer to Yangzhou from Nanjing City Center: $89
  • Private Transfer between Nanjing Jinniuhu Wild Animal Park and City Hotels: $62
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
  • Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to Zhenjiang City: $110
  • Private Nanjing Airport Transfer from City Hotels or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer from Nanjing City Center to Lukou Int'l Airport: $45
  • Private Arrival Transfer to Nanjing City from Railway Station : $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Nanjing?

Prices for flights to both Nanjing 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 day
    Chiang Rai $13
    Nanjing $29

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: $44
  • 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $54
  • Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $57
  • Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $62
  • The Adventure of Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $64
  • 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $68
  • Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $81
  • Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $98
  • Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $146

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.

  • 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
  • Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
  • Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
  • Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chiang Rai $8.36
    Nanjing $9.46

Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai

For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $38
  • Chiang Rai:Guide with lunch full day Highlight Tour: $40
  • Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch: $40
  • Temple Treasures & Popular Sightseeings (Buffet): $40
  • Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour with Thai Lunch: $40
  • Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $41
  • Group tour in Chiang rai: $42
  • Highlights temple tour with tasting and scenery in chiangrai: $42
  • Unforgettable tour of Chiangrai: $42
  • Explore the adventures of Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle: $42
  • Chiangrai Full day: Popular 8 Place+Free Opium museum ticket: $44
  • From Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai White, Blue & Red 3 Temples Tour: $46

Tours and Activities in Nanjing

Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
  • 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour with Xiaoling Tomb and Sun Yatsen Mausoleum : $124
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Sun Yatsen Mausoleum, Xiaoling Tomb and City Wall: $190
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
  • All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
  • All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
  • All-Inclusive Nanjing Purple Mountain Scenic Area Private Day Tour: $187
  • By round way bullet train from Shanghai to Nanjing city tour: $650
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
  • Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
  • Flexible Private Nanjing Layover Tour: $171

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chiang Rai $9.42
    Nanjing $9.67


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Nanjing, we can see that Nanjing 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 Nanjing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nanjing 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 Nanjing Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Nanjing?

Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Nanjing, 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.