Which place is cheaper, Xiamen or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Xiamen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $44Xiamen $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $44, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $65. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $20Xiamen $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $40Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Xiamen? 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 $3.61Xiamen $6.15
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$1.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- SUV Private car Chiang Mai transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $165
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $22
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $25
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $29
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai & Temples Visit: $262
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $152
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: $150
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $22
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $55
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $86
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xiamen Railway Station Private Transfer to Gaoqi Airport : $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Round Trip Transfer Between the Most Picturesque Chuxi Tulou Cluster and Xiamen: $106
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer:From Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen downtown: $12
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and HongKeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Private Transfer from Railway Station to Xiamen City: $10
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $13Xiamen $27
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:
- 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: $56
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $60
- The Adventure of Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $62
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $66
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $79
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $91
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $96
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $142
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.36Xiamen $16
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: $93
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- 4 Days Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: $1,562
- Akha Home Cookery Experience Half Day Trip: $117
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $170
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $147
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $163
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $139
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $99
- Bus Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang: Amazing Experience: $56
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai & Doi Mae Salong Tea Plantation Tour: $354
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Temples, Golden Triangle & Boat Tour: $68
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- All Inclusive Xiamen Private Layover Tour to Hakka Tulou Village with Options: $234
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport : $155
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $164
- From One-Day Nanjing Tulou Private Tour: $299
- Fujian Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Tianluokeng and Daping Lou: $194
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.42Xiamen $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Xiamen, we can see that Xiamen 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 Xiamen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xiamen 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 Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Xiamen, 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.