Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chiang Rai or Shenzhen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Shenzhen, 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 Shenzhen?
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.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
-
Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesShenzhen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $51Shenzhen $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $51, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $148. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Shenzhen $96
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Shenzhen $192
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.53Shenzhen $16
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$1.21
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: $140
- Private Chiang Rai Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $31
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $264
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $82
- Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Private Scenic Transfer Tour: $153
- Chiang Rai 4 Temples and Lalitta Cafe Full Day Tour with Transfer: $68
- 2 days tour in Chiang rai, included hotel, lunch,pick up&transfer: $187
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
- Transfer Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport by Luxury Van or Sedan: $120
- Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
- Shenzhen to Shenzhen Airport (SZX) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Shenzhen Private transfer and Ongoing assistance: $39
- Shenzhen Int Airport (SZX) to Shenzhen - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Shenzhen Baoan airport Private Transfer to Shenzhen Hotels.: $55
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong to Airport HKG by Business Car: $118
- Private Transfer: Airport HKG to Hong Kong by Luxury Van: $137
- Private Transfer from Shenzhen hotels to Shekou Cruise Port: $83
- Private Transfer from Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou: $157
- Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Shenzhen hotels: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 $22Shenzhen $37
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: $37
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $55
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $56
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $56
- Thai Cooking Class in Chiangrai with The Market Tour: $56
- Jungle Trek and Bamboo Cooking in Chiang Rai: $56
- Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour: $57
- Chiang Rai Private Thai and Akha Cooking Class with Market Visit: $62
- From Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure Group Trekking Bamboo Cooking: $62
- Chiang Rai Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour at Suwannee: $67
- Chiang Rai Jungle Trekking with Bamboo Cooking and Hot Springs: $72
- Suwannee Thai Cooking and Market Visit from Chiang Rai: $78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Shenzhen Food Tour with Locals: $47
- Hong Kong: 7-Course Hong Kong Street & Restaurant Food Tour: $59
- Hong Kong's Tin Hau Hidden Gems Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $107
- Hong Kong Market Walking Tour & Chinese Cooking Class: $131
- Hong Kong Sightseeing Tour With Dinner Cruise From Shenzhen: $136
- Hong Kong Best Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $148
- Private Authentic Hong Kong's Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $159
- Kowloon Street Food Tour Private & Personalized with a Local: $173
- Layover Tour from airport - Classic Hong Kong with Tram Ride and Dinner Cruise: $181
- Hong Kong Elite Night Tour: Cruise, Aquarium Dinner, Peak: $193
- Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local: Private & Customized: $200
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $239
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.19Shenzhen $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:
- 2 Day Jungle Trekking Adventure from Chiang Rai: $109
- Akha Hill Tribes, Chiang Saen, Mae Sai & Golden Triangle Day Tour: $110
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $202
- CEI. to Phayao Prov. A day Tour : Temples- Hot Spring- Lake view: $93
- Chiang Mai - Full Day Chiang Rai &Golden Triangle Tour with Lunch: $199
- Chiang Rai 7 Incredible Highlights Tour Lunch Included: $50
- Chiang Rai ATV Jungle Adventure with Waterfalls and Viewpoints: $33
- Chiang Rai Akha Culture Waterfall and Big Buddha Tour: $90
- Chiang Rai All Inclusive Day Tour: $70
- Chiang Rai Discovery Full Day Guided Tour and Free Lunch Buffet: $42
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $142
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $142
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Magical Evening in Hong Kong: Private City Tour: $111
- A Perfect Hong Kong Layover - 5h private tour: $300
- Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $39
- Best Seller: VIP Lantau Tai O Tour Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha: $103
- Between Capitalism & Communism: Hong Kong History Tip Based Tour: $2.61
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $56
- Bus Tours in Hong Kong: $45
- Cheung Chau Island Tour: $105
- Congjiang and Zhaoxing Tour by Bullet Train with Pickup from Hong Kong: $284
- Custom private tour of Hong Kong Island - Half day: $228
- Dark Side of Hong Kong - Kowloon Caged Homes Walking Tour: $38
- Day Tour in Shenzhen from Hong Kong on a Coach: $207
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.05Shenzhen $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:
- Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Shenzhen?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Shenzhen, 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.