Which place is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Kiev?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kiev or Chiang Mai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Kiev and Chiang Mai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Kiev or Chiang Mai?
Kiev
Kiev is the capital city and also the largest city in the Ukraine, with a population of almost 3 million in the metropolitan area. It is situated on the Dnieper River in the north central part of the country and is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, dating back to the fifth century. The people in Kiev are quite friendly and welcoming, and are happy to have you in their city. It can, however, be difficult to communicate and get around if you don't speak at least a little Russian. It is doable with a little sign language and the help of a guide book with translations though.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKiev $26Chiang Mai $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiev is $26, 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 Kiev and Chiang Mai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKiev $17Chiang Mai $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKiev $34Chiang Mai $52
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Chiang Mai
Looking for a hotel in Kiev 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kiev $1.03Chiang Mai $3.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:
- Private Transfer Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Zhytomyr.: $173
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Chernihiv city: $147
- Strategic Missile Forces Base: Round-Trip Transfer from Kyiv& Museum Guided Tour: $146
- Luxury Departure Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $80
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City: $67
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $61
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Boryspil Airport KBP: $61
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City: $61
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $61
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $61
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $55
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV in Business Car: $55
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$4.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer to Hotel Or From Hotel To Airport : $5.44
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way) : $7.50
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Chiangmai Town: $8.92
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $12
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $12
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): One-Way Private Transfer: $12
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $13
- Chiang Mai Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer: $14
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Arrival Shared Transfer: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Chiang Mai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Mai and Kiev 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 dayKiev $7.25Chiang Mai $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kiev
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kiev.
- "Kiev Private Food Tour" - Taste the best Ukraine has to offer: $53
- Kyiv Restaurant Food Tour: Ukrainian Cuisine Tasting: $113
- Private Gastro/Food Tour In Kyiv : $144
- Cooking master class: $226
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)$5.30
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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)$5.43
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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
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Garden Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai : $27
- Thai and Isaan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kiev $2.04Chiang Mai $13
Tours and Activities in Kiev
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kiev are as follows:
- "Kiev Private Nightlife Tour" - Visit Secret Bars & Party with Locals: $53
- 1- or 3-Hour Private Kyiv Guided Bike Tour: $56
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour to Kiev Pechersk Lavra : $39
- 2-Day Small-Group Tour to Lviv from Kiev by Intercity Train: $225
- 2-days Group Tour To The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: $279
- 3-Hour Kiev Private Gastro Tour: $88
- 3-Hour Kiev Street Art Private Tour: $53
- Adventure City Center Tour : $120
- Bohemian Podil Tour: $120
- Chernobyl Exclusion Zone 1-day tour: $98
- Chernobyl Tour with Gift : $107
- Discover Kyiv: The Most Complete 6 Hours Private Sightseeing Tour by car: $162
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$1.63
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Kratong Lessons$2.72
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Pedicure$4.08
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.89
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Scavenger Hunt City Tour for Your Smartphone: $7.73
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $12
- Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $14
- Tweechol Botanic Garden Half Day Adventure : $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs: $15
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKiev $6.40Chiang Mai $6.73
Sample the Local Flavors in Kiev
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kiev:
- Kiev Pub Crawling | Private Beer Tasting Tour: $77
- Speakeasy Bar Crawl: $135
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$2.72
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!: $9.55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiev and Chiang Mai, we can see that Chiang Mai is more expensive. And not only is Kiev much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kiev is in Europe 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 Kiev would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kiev 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 Chiang Mai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chiang Mai than you might in Kiev.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kiev Expensive? and Is Chiang Mai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kiev or Chiang Mai?
Kiev has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Kiev 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 Kiev or Chiang Mai?
Kiev has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kiev or Chiang Mai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Chiang Mai. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
In the summer, Kiev is cooler than Chiang Mai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiev in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. Kiev usually gets less rain in July than Chiang Mai. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKiev 21°C (70°F)Chiang Mai 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Chiang Mai in the Autumn?
Both Chiang Mai and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Kiev is generally much colder than Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around 10°C (49°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. In October, Kiev usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKiev 10°C (49°F)Chiang Mai 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Chiang Mai in the Winter?
Both Chiang Mai and Kiev during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
The weather in Kiev can be very cold. Kiev is much colder than Chiang Mai in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around -4°C (24°F) in January, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
Kiev usually gets more rain in January than Chiang Mai. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKiev -4°C (24°F)Chiang Mai 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Chiang Mai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Kiev is much colder than Chiang Mai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiev in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 31°C (88°F).
In April, Kiev usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chiang Mai. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKiev 10°C (51°F)Chiang Mai 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Chiang Mai and Kiev
| Kiev | Chiang Mai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 52 mm (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.