Which place is cheaper, Nanjing 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 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.
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Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesNanjing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $52Nanjing $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $52, while the average daily cost in Nanjing is $124. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Nanjing $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Nanjing $98
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.58Nanjing $41
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$1.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2 days tour in Chiang rai, included hotel, lunch,pick up&transfer: $141
- Chiang Rai Airport to Chiang Khong & Golden Triangle Transfer: $56
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $83
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $266
- Private Chiang Rai Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $31
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport: $78
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport: $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $109
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport: $45
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing: $88
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer Between Tangshan Hot Spring Resort and Nanjing Lukou Airport: $49
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to Zhenjiang City: $110
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to City Center or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $46
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer from City Hotels or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $45
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
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Food Meals for one dayChiang Rai $22Nanjing $52
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
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $55
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $56
- One Day Trekking Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure and Bamboo Cooking: $56
- Jungle Trek and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $56
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $57
- Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour: $57
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- Chiang Rai City Highlights with Traditional Dinner & Show: $107
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $133
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
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
- Nanjing Private Tour: Ming Mausoleum, Night View & Local Dinner: $198
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.31Nanjing $9.92
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
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $42
- From 7 wonder Full-Day Tour and Thai Buffet lunch: $42
- Chiang Rai Discovery: Full‑Day Guided Tour & Free Lunch Buffet: $42
- Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park, around Chiang Rai city tour: $47
- All stunning tour : Khun Korn waterfall-White Temple-Red Temple: $47
- Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $50
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Nanjing Private Flexible Customized Tour with Lunch Option: $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way: $109
- 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
- 6-Hour Private Tour of Xiaoling Tomb,City Wall & Memorial Hall: $144
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $150
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour: $63
- Flexible Private Nanjing Layover Tour: $171
- Flexible Yangzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $212
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.18Nanjing $10
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.
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.