Which place is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Eilat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eilat or Chiang Mai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Eilat or Chiang Mai? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Eilat or Chiang Mai?
Eilat
Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.
Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.
Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.
Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEilat $140Chiang Mai $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Eilat is $140, while the average daily cost in Chiang Mai is $45. 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 Eilat and Chiang Mai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEilat $93Chiang Mai $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEilat $186Chiang Mai $52
Compare Hotels in Eilat and Chiang Mai
Looking for a hotel in Eilat or Chiang Mai? 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: Eilat Hotel Prices and Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eilat $13Chiang Mai $3.63
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:
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Local Bus$3.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat
Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
- Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.09
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Moped Rental$4.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zipline Adventure at Chiang Mai with Return Transfer: $191
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $5.30
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $5.30
- Skyline Jungle Luge Ticket + Share Transfer: $85
- Skyline Jungle Luge Ticket + Lunch with Private Transfer: $250
- Private Vehicle: Transfer from Airport in Chiang Mai: $21
- Private Transfer: Four Seasons Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport: $24
- Private Transfer: Chiang Mai to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $26
- Private Transfer: Chiang Mai Airport Arrival or Departure ride: $155
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: $152
- Private Transfer Chiang Mai Airport to Hotel in Chiang Mai by Car and Van: $37
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Eilat or Chiang Mai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Mai and Eilat 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 dayEilat $35Chiang Mai $10
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.32
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.65
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Casual Breakfast$1.09
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.46
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Mangoes$0.82
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Coffee$1.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $11
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $11
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $19
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $22
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $22
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $24
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $24
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $25
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eilat $16Chiang Mai $13
Tours and Activities in Eilat
For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
- 2 day tour to Petra from Eilat: $299
- Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
- From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $63
- Full Day Petra Tour from Eilat: $289
- Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
- Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
- Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
- Park Timna: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
- Petra 2-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Authentic Lunch: $290
- Petra and Wadi Rum 2 day tour from Eilat: $299
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$35
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.64
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Kratong Lessons$2.73
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Pedicure$4.09
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.91
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Chiang Mai Thapae Muay Thai Boxing Stadium Ticket: $27
- One Day Doi Inthanon National Park Small Group Guided Tour: $39
- Private Tour of Sacred Sakyant Tattoo in Lamphun Province.: $79
- 1 Day Doi Inthanon Private tour ( Hiking and Sightseeing ): $96
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $128
- 1 Day Private Tour White Temple and Renewed Doichang Coffee: $188
- 1 Hr Chiang Mai Buggy Tour (Off-Road): $149
- 1-Day Bike and River Kayak Adventure from Chiang Mai: $64
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure: $81
- 10km Rafting with 8Adventures from Chiang Mai Include Pickup & Lunch : $102
- 2 Days 1 Night Non Tourist Trek: $122
- 2 Days Hiking Tour in Chiang Mai: $111
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEilat $27Chiang Mai $6.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$2.73
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Bars & Pubs in Chiang Mai!: $9.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Chiang Mai, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East and Chiang Mai is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat than you might in Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eilat Expensive? and Is Chiang Mai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eilat or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Eilat and Chiang Mai, 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.
When is the best time to visit Eilat or Chiang Mai?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Eilat or Chiang Mai in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Chiang Mai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Eilat usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Chiang Mai during summer. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 146 hours of full sun in the summer.
The heat can be very extreme in Eilat. In the summer, Eilat is a little warmer than Chiang Mai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Eilat in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 30°C (86°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEilat 33°C (91°F)Chiang Mai 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Chiang Mai in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Chiang Mai. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. Eilat usually gets less rain in October than Chiang Mai. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat this time of the year. In the autumn, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Chiang Mai. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 226 hours of full sun.
In October, Eilat is generally around the same temperature as Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 26°C (79°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEilat 26°C (79°F)Chiang Mai 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Chiang Mai in the Winter?
Both Chiang Mai and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February. In January, Eilat usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. Eilat usually receives less sunshine than Chiang Mai during winter. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 283 hours of full sun in the winter.
Eilat is much colder than Chiang Mai in the winter. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEilat 14°C (57°F)Chiang Mai 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Chiang Mai in the Spring?
Both Chiang Mai and Eilat during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. Eilat usually gets less rain in April than Chiang Mai. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the spring, Eilat often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chiang Mai. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 275 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Eilat is cooler than Chiang Mai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Eilat in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEilat 24°C (75°F)Chiang Mai 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Chiang Mai and Eilat
| Eilat | Chiang Mai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
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.