Which place is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra 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 Petra and Chiang Mai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Chiang Mai?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, 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 dayPetra $125Chiang Mai $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, 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 Petra and Chiang Mai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Chiang Mai $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Chiang Mai $52
Compare Hotels in Petra and Chiang Mai
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Chiang Mai $3.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
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:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $5.30
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $5.30
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer to Hotel Or From Hotel To Airport : $5.41
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way) : $7.47
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Chiangmai Town: $8.87
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- 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 Petra or Chiang Mai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Mai and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Chiang Mai $10
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
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.Petra $47Chiang Mai $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
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.
- Scavenger Hunt City Tour for Your Smartphone: $7.65
- 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 : $14
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs: $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Chiang 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 Petra and Chiang Mai, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive? and Is Chiang Mai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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 Petra or Chiang Mai?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Petra or Chiang Mai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Petra as well as Chiang Mai. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Chiang Mai. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the summer, Petra often gets more sunshine than Chiang Mai. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 146 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is around the same temperature as Chiang Mai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 30°C (86°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Chiang Mai 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Petra or Chiang Mai in the Autumn?
Both Chiang Mai and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra 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 rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Chiang Mai during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 226 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Chiang Mai 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Petra or Chiang Mai in the Winter?
Both Chiang Mai and Petra during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai. Petra usually gets more rain in January than Chiang Mai. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 7 mm (0.3 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 Petra. In the winter, Petra often gets less sunshine than Chiang Mai. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 283 hours of full sun.
Petra is much colder than Chiang Mai in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Chiang Mai 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Petra or Chiang Mai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Chiang Mai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra 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. In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chiang Mai during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Petra is cooler than Chiang Mai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Chiang Mai 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Chiang Mai and Petra
| Petra | Chiang Mai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.