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.
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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.
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Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesShenzhen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $53Shenzhen $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $53, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $140. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $20Shenzhen $91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $40Shenzhen $182
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.67Shenzhen $15
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
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $25
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Hong Kong HTL-APT (HKG): $78
- Transfer Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
- Stress-Free Hong Kong Airport Transfer to HK downtown: Meet&Greet: $57
- Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $86
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $86
- Shenzhen Private Transfer and Ongoing Travel Assistance: $39
- Shenzhen Customized Local Tour with Transfer : $299
- Shenzhen Baoan Airport to Shenzhen Hotel Private Transfer: $73
- Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49
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
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Food Meals for one dayChiang Rai $22Shenzhen $35
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
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $57
- Chiang Rai Night Adventure: Dinner, Cultural Show & Trishaw Ride: $121
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $147
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $53
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
- Explore Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour: $103
- Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Eats on a Tin Hau Food Tour: $109
- Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $116
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
- Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
- Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $177
- Asian Favorites Cooking Class in Hong Kong (4-Course Meal): $184
- Hong Kong Style Noodles Cooking Class (Includes 4-Course Meal): $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.50Shenzhen $17
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Chiang Rai Temples Tour in Thailand: $112
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $43
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $168
- 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 Rai 7 Incredible Highlights Tour Lunch Included: $57
- Chiang Rai City Temples Private Day Tour: $191
- Chiang Rai City and Temples Tour: $76
- 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
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Custom private tour of Hong Kong Island - Half day: $228
- Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ticket in Hong Kong: $24
- Seat-in-Coach: Macau Day Tour with Simple Lunch from Hong Kong: $185
- Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $87
- (Private class) Hong Kong gourmet baking experience class: Hong Kong-style egg tart + custard mooncake: $89
- 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $280
- 4-Hour Small Group Kowloon Sightseeing Tour: $103
- Aberdeen Fishing Village Private Tour by Minivan: $232
- Aberdeen fisherman cultural tour+dim sum by local: $140
- Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $40
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
- Best Seller: VIP Lantau Tai O Tour Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.39Shenzhen $19
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): $46
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.