Which place is cheaper, Chiang Rai or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Samet or Chiang Rai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Chiang Rai, 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: Koh Samet or Chiang Rai?
Koh Samet
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Chiang Rai $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, 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 Koh Samet and Chiang Rai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Chiang Rai $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Chiang Rai $34
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Chiang Rai
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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: Koh Samet Hotel Prices and Chiang Rai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Chiang Rai $3.18
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:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $22
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $22
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $77
- Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $83
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $119
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $122
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $141
- SUV Private car Chiang Mai transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $149
- Chiang Khong Border Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Chiang Rai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Rai and Koh Samet 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 dayKoh Samet $27Chiang 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:
- 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.Koh Samet $8.96Chiang Rai $7.38
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
- Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch: $34
- Chiang Rai:Guide with lunch full day Highlight Tour: $34
- Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour with Thai Lunch: $36
- Popular Sightseeing Tour 8 Places - Small group: $38
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $40
- Day tour visit the top attractions in chiang rai: $41
- Popular Sightseeing Tour 8 places, Buffet Lunch: $41
- JOIN TOUR 1 day trip around Chiang Rai included lunch buffet: $41
- Explore the adventures of Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle: $41
- Temple Treasures & Popular Sightseeings (Buffet): $41
- Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Chiang Rai $8.32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Chiang Rai, we can see that Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Chiang Rai Expensive?.
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.