Which place is cheaper, Taipei 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 Taipei?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Taipei, 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 Taipei?
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.
Taipei
Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan.
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Chiang Rai Prices
Thailand PricesTaipei Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $52Taipei $197
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $52, while the average daily cost in Taipei is $197. 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 Taipei in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Taipei $148
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Taipei $296
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Taipei
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Taipei? 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 Taipei Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.55Taipei $10
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$1.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- Private Chiang Rai Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $30
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $262
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $82
- Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Private Scenic Transfer Tour: $152
- 2 days tour in Chiang rai, included hotel, lunch,pick up&transfer: $139
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
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Easycard$2.05
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Easycard$9.46
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Train$1.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taoyuan airport to Yilan Private Transfer: $105
- Taoyuan Airport to Keelung port Private Transfer: $79
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $28
- Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Private Transfer to Taipei City: $85
- Taiwan Airport Private Transfer: $119
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Return Bus Transfer: $9.19
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE to Beitou New Taipei Arrival Transfer: $187
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport Private Transfer (TPE): Taoyuan to Hotel: $58
- Taipei Songshan Airport(TSA)Airport Transfer: $45
- Taipei Private Transfer: Taiwan International Airport to Keelung Cruise Port: $115
- Taipei City to Taoyuan Airport Private Transfer: $46
- Taipei City to Keelung (Taipei) Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $101
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Taipei?
Prices for flights to both Taipei 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 $22Taipei $28
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 Rai Private Thai and Akha Cooking Class with Market Visit: $49
- Thai Cooking Class in Chiangrai with The Market Tour: $50
- Private Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $52
- Lanna Home Cooking Class at Give Green Farm House: $54
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $55
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $56
- One Day Trekking Chiang Rai Jungle Adventure and Bamboo Cooking: $56
- Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour: $57
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- Chiang Rai City Highlights with Traditional Dinner & Show: $105
- Chiang Rai Night Adventure: Dinner, Cultural Show & Trishaw Ride: $117
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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EasyCard$16
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Lunch at The Can$6.94
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EasyCard$32
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Lunch$3.00
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Lunch$1.89
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Dinner$6.31
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Lunch$3.63
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Lunch$4.73
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Louisa coffee$3.00
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Lunch$5.99
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Lunch$3.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sumire Nostalgic Taiwanese Lunch and Dinner Set: $17
- Food Tours w/ Top 10 Taiwan Food (Breakfast/Dinner): $45
- Taipei Food Tour Taiwan Traditional Breakfast and Market and Tea: $45
- Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included): $45
- Food Tour Local Market with 12+ tasters & Drinks Included: $49
- Taipei Hidden Eats, Market & Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings: $55
- Street Food & Hidden Eats Night Market Food Tour: $55
- Taipei Tastes Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $55
- Formosa Flavours Taipei Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
- Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
- Backstreet Food Tour: Food, Culture, and Fun: $75
- Street Food Cooking Class in Taipei : Gua Bao/Lu Rou Fan/Boba Tea: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.23Taipei $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:
- Akha Hill Tribes, Chiang Saen, Mae Sai & Golden Triangle Day Tour: $110
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $201
- CEI. to Phayao Prov. A day Tour : Temples- Hot Spring- Lake view: $79
- Chiang Rai 7 Incredible Highlights Tour Lunch Included: $56
- Chiang Rai All Inclusive Day Tour: $70
- Chiang Rai Discovery: Full‑Day Guided Tour & Free Lunch Buffet: $42
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $141
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $141
- Chiang Rai Half-Day City Highlights Tour: $92
- Chiang Rai Night Tour by TUK TUK: $107
- Chiang Rai Private Bespoke Sightseeing Tour: $77
- Chiang Rai Walking Private Tour: Golden Triangle & Doi Tung: $112
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 101 Skyline 460 Observatory Ticket | Taipei: $125
- 12hrs - Chiayi Meteor Garden Classic Tour From Taipei: $72
- 2 days Yeliou (or Pingxi sky lantern) & Sun Moon Lake tour (Taichung city end): $200
- 2-Hour Private Ximending Area Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - S.Y.S. Memorial Hall & 44 South Village: $58
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple: $55
- 2-hr Ningxia Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide: $35
- 2-hr Raohe Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide: $38
- 4 Days Private Tour Taipei, Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake & Taichung: $1,079
- 4 Hour Afternoon Cycling City Tour North with Snack: $83
- 4-Hour Morning Cycling City Tour (incl. breakfast): $83
- 7-Hour Jiufen Night View, Shifen Waterfall & Raohe Market Tour: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.09Taipei $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:
- Taipei Authentic Night Sober-Friendly Pub Crawl: $20
- Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $27
- Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery,Jim&Dad's Brewing, Shenkeng Tour: $95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Taipei, we can see that Taipei 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 Taipei would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taipei 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 Taipei Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Taipei?
Taipei has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Taipei, 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.