Which place is cheaper, Chiang Rai or Eilat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eilat or Chiang Rai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Eilat or Chiang Rai? 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 Rai?
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 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.
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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEilat $140Chiang Rai $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Eilat is $140, while the average daily cost in Chiang Rai is $39. 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 Rai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEilat $93Chiang Rai $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEilat $186Chiang Rai $34
Compare Hotels in Eilat and Chiang Rai
Looking for a hotel in Eilat or Chiang Rai? 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 Rai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eilat $13Chiang Rai $3.18
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:
- Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
- From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
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$1.09
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: $149
- Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $83
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $22
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $122
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $22
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $77
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $32
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $141
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $119
- Chiang Khong Border Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Eilat or Chiang Rai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Rai 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 Rai $12
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: $33
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $47
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $50
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $57
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $68
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $82
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $86
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eilat $16Chiang Rai $7.38
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
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $30
- 4 Days Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: $1,406
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $152
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $132
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $89
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $125
- Chiang Rai - Temple Tour: $154
- Chiang Rai City and Temples Tour: $66
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $71
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $57
- Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $57
- Chiang Rai Night Tour by TUK TUK: $57
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEilat $27Chiang Rai $8.32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Chiang Rai, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East and Chiang Rai 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 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 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 Rai.
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 Rai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eilat or Chiang Rai?
Chiang Rai has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Eilat and Chiang Rai, 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.