Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Yangshuo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Yangshuo, 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 Yangshuo?
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.
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Rai $42Yangshuo $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $42, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $73. 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 Yangshuo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $19Yangshuo $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $38Yangshuo $52
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Yangshuo
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai or Yangshuo? 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 $3.46Yangshuo $43
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 Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai with Temples Visit: $246
- Chiang Khong Border Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $176
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $164
- SUV Private car Chiang Mai transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $164
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $155
- Chiang Mai Hotel to/from Chiang Rai Hotel: Private Transfer: $133
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $131
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $85
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $54
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $28
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Guilin hotel: $64
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
- Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Between Airport & Yangshuo: $106
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Yangshuo?
Prices for flights to both Yangshuo 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 $13Yangshuo $19
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 Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Rai $8.02Yangshuo $24
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: $92
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- 4 Days Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: $1,549
- Akha Home Cookery Experience Half Day Trip: $116
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $168
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $145
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $161
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $137
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $98
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai & Doi Mae Salong Tea Plantation Tour: $394
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Temples, Golden Triangle & Boat Tour: $67
- Chiang Rai - Temple Tour: $154
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $170
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour with the Daxu Town and Yao Mountain from Yangshuo: $187
- 1-Day Longji Rice Terraces hiking tour from Guilin/Yangshuo hotel: $188
- 1-Day Tour: Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat and Ruyi Peak Cable Car: $149
- 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
- 4-Hour Small Group Rock Climbing Tour in Yangshuo: $61
- All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
- China:Classic China Sightseeing Tour: $3,699
- Dingding Yangshuo country road biking tour &bamboom rafting: $120
- Full-Day Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Rai $9.03Yangshuo $34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Yangshuo, we can see that Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Yangshuo?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Yangshuo, 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.