Which place is cheaper, Chiang Rai or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Chiang Rai?
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 Pai and Chiang Rai. 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: Pai or Chiang Rai?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $69Chiang Rai $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $69, while the average daily cost in Chiang Rai is $42. 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 Pai and Chiang Rai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $15Chiang Rai $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $30Chiang Rai $38
Compare Hotels in Pai and Chiang Rai
Looking for a hotel in Pai 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: Pai Hotel Prices and Chiang Rai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $40Chiang Rai $3.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $164
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $77
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $206
- Chiang Mai: One-way Transfer to/from Pai by Private Car: $120
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $137
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $146
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $164
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $146
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$1.19
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: $164
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $22
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $24
- From Chiang Rai:Transfer to Laos Immigration: $28
- Chiang Rai:Private Transfer to Chiang Mai with Temples Visit: $246
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $164
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $24
- Chiang Rai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $69
- Chiang Rai Airports: Transfer Chiang Kong, Golden Triangel, and More: $54
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $85
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $18
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $155
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Chiang Rai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Rai and Pai 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 dayPai $23Chiang Rai $13
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: $37
- Chiang Mai: Traditional Thai-Akha Cooking Class& Market Tour: $43
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $52
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $55
- Private Local Food Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $59
- Full Day Trekking & bamboo cooking Tour in Chiang Rai: $61
- 1 day trek only walk and bamboo cooking.: $66
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $69
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $78
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $90
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $95
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $141
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $44Chiang Rai $8.02
Tours and Activities in Pai
For Pai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Chiang Mai: Day Tour to Pai Highlights by Private Car: $161
- From Sunrise Private Tour Jabo Viewpoint & Nam Lod Cave: $96
- Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour: $102
- Jungle Ziplining Adventure with 16 Platforms: $36
- Mae Hong Son Highlights - Full Day Private Car Tour: $177
- Ultimate Ziplining Adventure through the Jungle: $49
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Chiang Rai Temples Tour in Thailand: $92
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $40
- 4 Days Mae Hong Son Loop Motorcycle Tour from Chiang Mai: $1,549
- Akha Home Cookery Experience Half Day Trip: $116
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $168
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $145
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle Royal Vila: $161
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $137
- Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai with Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $98
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai & Doi Mae Salong Tea Plantation Tour: $394
- Chiang Mai: Chiang Rai Temples, Golden Triangle & Boat Tour: $67
- Chiang Rai - Temple Tour: $154
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $14Chiang Rai $9.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Chiang Rai, we can see that Pai 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 Pai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pai 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 Pai 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.