Which place is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Chiang Mai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Chiang Mai can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nairobi or Chiang Mai?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesChiang Mai Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Chiang Mai $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Chiang Mai is $58. 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 Nairobi and Chiang Mai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Chiang Mai $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Chiang Mai $58
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Chiang Mai
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Chiang Mai $3.97
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Nairobi City Taste Experience with Minivan Transfer: $245
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Airport transfers: $180
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Arrival Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Nairobi Airports Private Transfers: $100
- Private Jomo Kenyatta International Airport JKIA Transfers to Nairobi Hotels: $95
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$1.19
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Moped Rental$5.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sticky Waterfall Retreat and Chet Si Fountain Transfer: $23
- Siam Dragon cabaret show : Ticket & Optional Transfer: $25
- Siam Dragon Cabaret Show Ticket with Transfer in Chiang Mai: $26
- Shared Minivan Transfer to Chiang Mai and Mae Kampong Village: $13
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Pai Or Pai to Chiang Mai: $175
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (one way only): $175
- Private Transfer Chiang Mai Airport to Hotel in Chiang Mai by Car and Van: $41
- Private Chiang Mai Airport Transfer to or from Mae Rim Hotels: $16
- Private Arrival Transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport: $21
- Mon Jam Direct Transfer from Chiang Mai by Shared Minivan: $8.84
- Hassle-Free Private Arrival Transfer from Chiang Mai Airport: $19
- Gems Gallery Chiang Mai with Round Trip Hotel Transfers: $2.30
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Chiang Mai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Mai and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $13Chiang Mai $20
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Authentic home dinner with a local Family in Nairobi: $108
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)$5.82
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.72
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Casual Breakfast$1.19
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.97
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Mangoes$0.89
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Coffee$1.49
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 Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $12
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $12
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai: $27
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai: $28
- Chiang Mai Lanna Thai Cooking Class with Mae Malai Market: $28
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $28
- Half-Day Cooking Class: $28
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $28
- Morning Thai cooking class: $28
- Khantoke Dinner at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center: $29
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $29
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Chiang Mai $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Pure Adrenaline Adventure with Kenyan BBQ Lunch Experience: $200
- 1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View: $90
- 1 night small group tour to Hells gate and Mount Longonot: $177
- 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $105
- 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $215
- 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295
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$39
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.79
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Kratong Lessons$2.98
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Pedicure$4.47
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.37
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $160
- 1 Day Private Tour Unseen in Lamphun Province: $119
- 1 Day Private Tour White Temple and Renewed Doichang Coffee: $188
- 1 Day Sukhothai Historical Park from Chiang Mai Private Tour: $199
- 1 Day Trek and Sticky Waterfall Tour in Chiang Mai: $83
- 1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang: $144
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure: $92
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking and 3HR Trekking Adventure: $107
- 2 DAYS MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURE Chiang Mai Chiang Dao Route: $233
- 2 Days Baan Pa Pong Piang and Doi Inthanon National Park Tour: $255
- 2 Days Hiking Tour in Chiang Mai: $122
- 2026 Official Chiang Mai CAD Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival Tickets: $209
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Chiang Mai $7.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
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$2.98
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: 4 Venues, Beer Buffet & VIP Entry: $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Chiang Mai, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi is in Africa 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 Nairobi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nairobi 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 Nairobi Expensive? and Is Chiang Mai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Chiang Mai?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.
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.