Which place is cheaper, Pushkar or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chiang Rai or Pushkar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Pushkar, 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 Pushkar?
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.
Pushkar
Pushkar is a city located in the state of Rajasthan, India. The city is considered a holy one; it's famous for its Brahma temple. It is also known for its ghats, its lake, and bazaar. Brahma is one part of the holy Hindu trinity and is known sit on a lotus flower (which is what 'Pushkar' translates to). In Hindu religion, Brahma is believed to be the creator of this world and Pushkar is the most important temple.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $42Pushkar $28
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $42, while the average daily cost in Pushkar is $28. 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 Pushkar in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Pushkar $12
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Pushkar $24
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Pushkar
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Pushkar? 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 Pushkar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.46Pushkar $4.93
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$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $22
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $24
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $25
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $29
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $55
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $86
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $134
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: $150
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $156
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pushkar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pushkar:
- Private Transfers Pushkar To Udaipur Drop: $61
- Private Transfers Pushkar To New Delhi Drop: $61
- Private Transfers Pushkar To Jodhpur Drop: $49
- Private Transfer from Pushkar to Jaipur: $42
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Udaipur In AC Vehicle: $112
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Ranthambore In AC Vehicle: $117
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To New Delhi In AC Vehicle: $112
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Mount Abu In AC Vehicle: $112
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jodhpur In AC Vehicle: $71
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jaipur In AC Vehicle: $45
- Private One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Agra In AC Vehicle: $112
- One Way Transfer From Pushkar To Jodhpur: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Pushkar?
Prices for flights to both Pushkar 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 $13Pushkar $10
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: $43
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $52
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $56
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $59
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $61
- The Adventure of Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $62
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $69
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $79
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $91
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $96
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $142
Typical Food Prices in Pushkar
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pushkar are as follows:
-
Lunch$2.38
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.02Pushkar $8.18
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: $39
- Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch: $39
- Temple Treasures & Popular Sightseeings (Buffet): $39
- Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour with Thai Lunch: $39
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- Group tour in Chiang rai: $41
- Highlights temple tour with tasting and scenery in chiangrai: $41
- Unforgettable tour of Chiangrai: $41
- Explore the adventures of Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle: $41
- Chiangrai Full day: Popular 8 Place+Free Opium museum ticket: $43
- Day tour visit the most popular in Chiang Rai: $45
Tours and Activities in Pushkar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pushkar are as follows:
- 4 Days Jaipur Jodhpur Tour with Pushkar: $387
- 7 - Days Tour of Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Pushkar and Jaipur: $346
- 7 - Days Tour of Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Pushkar and Jaipur: $262
- Afternoon Walk Tour with Sunset & Fire Ritual -The Pushkar Route : $7.00
- Afternoon Walking tour with Sunset & Arti -The Pushkar Route: $7.15
- Amazing 3 Nights 4 Days Jaipur with Ajmer Pushkar Tour: $620
- Cultural Walk of Pushkar (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Day Tour From Pushkar Without Guide: $60
- Evening Walking Tour with Fire Rituals-The Pushkar Route: $7.15
- Evening Walking tour with Fire Ceremony - The Pushkar Route : $8.00
- Experience Private Food And Culture Walk-The Pushkar Route: $15
- Experience Pushkar Camel Fair Festival with Transportation & Guide only: $55
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.03Pushkar $6.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Pushkar, we can see that Chiang Rai is more expensive. And not only is Pushkar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pushkar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pushkar 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 Chiang Rai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chiang Rai than you might in Pushkar.
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 Pushkar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Pushkar?
Chiang Rai has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Pushkar. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Pushkar, 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.