Which place is cheaper, Tianjin 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 Tianjin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Tianjin, 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 Tianjin?
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.
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
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 PricesTianjin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $52Tianjin $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $52, while the average daily cost in Tianjin is $96. 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 Tianjin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Tianjin $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Tianjin $74
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Tianjin
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Tianjin? 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 Tianjin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.55Tianjin $39
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:
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $262
- Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Private Scenic Transfer Tour: $152
- 2 days tour in Chiang rai, included hotel, lunch,pick up&transfer: $139
- 2 Days 1 Night Slow Boat Transfer to Luang Prabang: $82
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- Private Chiang Rai Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $32
- Tianjin Private Transfer to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall: $196
- Tianjin Private Transfer from Tianjin central to Tianjin Binhai Airport (TSN): $124
- Tianjin Private Round-Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $118
- Tianjin Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Pass and Eastern Qing Tombs: $132
- Tianjin Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Hotels in Beijing Downtown Shared Transfer: $95
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Hotel in Beijing Downtown Private Transfer: $120
- Tianjin Cruise Port Transfer To Tianjin Airport one way private transfer: $50
- Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Tianjin - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Beijing-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $229
- Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Beijing - Arrival Private Transfer: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Tianjin?
Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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 $22Tianjin $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
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.23Tianjin $11
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 Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- 4-Hour Private Tianjin Walking Tour with Dim Sum: $168
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $228
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $258
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $258
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
- From Beijing: Tianjin Highlights Day Tour by High-Speed Rail: $289
- Private Great Wall Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $248
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
- Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $169
- Private Tianjin Day Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple: $238
- Private Tianjin Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall with Flexible Departure Time: $258
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.09Tianjin $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Tianjin, we can see that Tianjin 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin 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 Tianjin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Tianjin?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Tianjin, 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.