Which place is cheaper, Sihanoukville or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Sihanoukville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Sihanoukville, 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 Sihanoukville?
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.
Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville, also known by locals as Kompong Som, was named after King Sihanouk. Also Cambodia's youngest city, construction started in 1955 to build Cambodia's first and only deep water port so that ships would no longer have to go through the Mekong Delta in order to trade with Cambodia. Today, many visit Sihanoukville as a hub to visit Cambodia's islands.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Bicycle Tours in Cambodia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Cambodia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $42Sihanoukville $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $42, while the average daily cost in Sihanoukville is $51. 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 Sihanoukville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Sihanoukville $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Sihanoukville $44
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Sihanoukville
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Sihanoukville? 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 $3.46Sihanoukville $14
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$1.19
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: $176
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $133
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $131
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $155
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $18
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $85
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $54
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $24
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $164
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai with Temples Visit: $246
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sihanoukville
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sihanoukville:
- Transfer: Between Airport and Shihanouk ville: $20
- Sihanouk Ville Airport (KOS) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $26
- Private taxi transfer from Sihanoukville to Battambang: $290
- Private Transfer to/from Battambang - Sihanoukville: $115
- Private Transfer between Sihanoukville Airport and Hotels or Port: $25
- Private Transfer From Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: $25
- Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
- Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
- Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
- Private Taxi Transfer Siem Reap From/To Sihanoukville: $239
- Private Taxi Transfer Kampot - Sihanoukville: $75
- Private Taxi Transfer From Kampot - Phnom Penh City: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Sihanoukville?
Prices for flights to both Sihanoukville 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 $13Sihanoukville $18
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
- 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: $55
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $61
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $66
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $69
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $78
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $90
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $95
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $141
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sihanoukville
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sihanoukville.
- Cooking class in Kampot: $20
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
- Sihanoukville - Khmer Traditional Cooking Class: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.02Sihanoukville $5.30
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang: Amazing Experience: $36
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $38
- Chiang Rai:Guide with lunch full day Highlight Tour: $38
- Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch: $38
- 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
- Unforgettable tour of Chiangrai: $40
- Explore the adventures of Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle: $40
- Chiangrai Full day: Popular 8 Place+Free Opium museum ticket: $43
- Day tour visit the most popular in Chiang Rai: $45
- Day tour visit the top attractions in chiang rai: $45
Tours and Activities in Sihanoukville
Here are a few actual costs in Sihanoukville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Best Sihanoukville Day Tours from Cruise Port or Hotel: $79
- Best of Sihanoukville City Tour from Cruise Port: $79
- Bokor Mountain Adventure - History, Sights and Waterfalls: $29
- Day trip from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh for Cruise Ship: $159
- Discovery Tour: Caving, Climbing, Via Ferrata and Abseiling in Kampot: $45
- Explore Sihanoukville Dirt Bike Tour: $140
- Exploring Bokor National Park Full-Day Tour from Sihanoukville: $99
- Exploring Kampot: A Memorable Tour from Sihanoukville: $63
- Exploring the Best of Kampot and Kep in a Full-Day Tour: $55
- Full Day City Tour with Private Boat Trip to 2 Islands: $110
- Full Day Pepper Farm Adventure by Scooter: $45
- Full day Tour, Countryside, Pepper farm & Kep, crab market...: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.03Sihanoukville $4.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Sihanoukville, we can see that Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Sihanoukville?
Sihanoukville has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Sihanoukville, 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.