Which place is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Haifa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Haifa or Chiang Mai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Haifa and Chiang Mai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Haifa or Chiang Mai?
Haifa
Located on the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel, Haifa is Israel's third largest city. It is also a beautiful and strategically located city near the border with Lebanon. The population of Haifa, which is approximately 300,000, is surprisingly diverse. There are Jews, Muslim, and Christian Arabs throughout the city. While Haifa is an industrial city with a strong work ethic and a good job base, it is also a beautiful city with many gardens and a stunning coastline. Today the job base has increasingly become technology based with some large companies such as Google and Microsoft offering employment in the area. Haifa University is also the country's top technology university.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Israel, The Best Cultural 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 dayHaifa $123Chiang Mai $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Haifa is $123, 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 Haifa and Chiang Mai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHaifa $74Chiang Mai $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHaifa $148Chiang Mai $52
Compare Hotels in Haifa and Chiang Mai
Looking for a hotel in Haifa 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: Haifa Hotel Prices and Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Haifa $4.93Chiang Mai $3.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Haifa
Also for Haifa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers all over the Holyland: Haifa, TLV, Airport, JLM, Jordan: $195
- Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV): $173
- Private Transfer from Haifa Cruise Port to Tel Aviv City: $173
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 Haifa or Chiang Mai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Mai and Haifa 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 dayHaifa $44Chiang Mai $10
Typical Food Prices in Haifa
For Haifa, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$27
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.Haifa $5.68Chiang Mai $13
Tours and Activities in Haifa
For Haifa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Romantic Walking Tour In Haifa for Couples: $290
- Caesarea, Haifa, Acre, Rosh Hanikra Private Day Tour: $700
- Christianity Day Tour: Haifa Port to Nazareth and Sea of Galilee : $295
- From Tel Aviv: Caesarea, Haifa & Akko Guided Tour: $1,300
- From Tel Aviv: Northern Israel Coast Private Tour: $999
- Full Day Tour to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee: $290
- Haifa Port Shore Excursion: Nazareth and Sea of Galilee Day Tour from Haifa Port: $120
- Haifa Port: Full-Day Christianity Cruise to Galilee: $388
- Haifa Private Tour: $160
- Haifa, Acre & Rosh Anikra Grottos Haifa Port FullDay Shared Tour: $231
- Haifa, Acre and Rosh Anikra for Cruises with Licensed Guide: $405
- Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour from Haifa Port 2024 - Small Group: $255
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 dayHaifa $13Chiang 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 Haifa and Chiang Mai, we can see that Haifa is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Haifa 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 Haifa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Haifa 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 Haifa Expensive? and Is Chiang Mai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Haifa or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Haifa. When comparing the sizes of Haifa 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 Haifa 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 Haifa or Chiang Mai in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Haifa and Chiang Mai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Haifa 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, Haifa usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Haifa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Haifa usually receives more sunshine than Chiang Mai during summer. Haifa gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 146 hours of full sun in the summer.
Haifa is around the same temperature as Chiang Mai in the summer. The daily temperature in Haifa averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHaifa 27°C (81°F)Chiang Mai 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Chiang Mai in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Haifa as well as Chiang Mai. Haifa 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. Haifa usually gets less rain in October than Chiang Mai. Haifa gets 20 mm (0.8 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 Haifa this time of the year. In the autumn, Haifa often gets more sunshine than Chiang Mai. Haifa gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 226 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Haifa is cooler than Chiang Mai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Haifa in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHaifa 24°C (75°F)Chiang Mai 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Chiang Mai in the Winter?
Both Chiang Mai and Haifa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Haifa 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. It's quite rainy in Haifa. In January, Haifa usually receives more rain than Chiang Mai. Haifa gets 100 mm (3.9 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. Haifa usually receives less sunshine than Chiang Mai during winter. Haifa gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 283 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Haifa is generally much colder than Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Haifa average around 14°C (57°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHaifa 14°C (57°F)Chiang Mai 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Haifa or Chiang Mai in the Spring?
Both Chiang Mai and Haifa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Haifa 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. Haifa usually gets less rain in April than Chiang Mai. Haifa gets 30 mm (1.2 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 Haifa. In the spring, Haifa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chiang Mai. Haifa gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 275 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. Haifa is much colder than Chiang Mai in the spring. The daily temperature in Haifa averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHaifa 19°C (66°F)Chiang Mai 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Chiang Mai and Haifa
| Haifa | Chiang Mai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 110 mm (4.3 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.