Is Chiang Rai Expensive?

Is Chiang Rai expensive to visit?

While Chiang Rai is a popular destination, it is also very affordable and not expensive to visit. The average daily cost is just $39. This is actually one of the main reasons why it's so popular with tourists. When compared to other cities in Asia, many travelers find it to be a reasonably affordable destination. It's in the top 25% of destinations in Asia for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to El Nido and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Chiang Rai, Thailand

How expensive is Chiang Rai?

Travelers spend an average of $39 per day when visiting Chiang Rai (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Chiang Rai here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Chiang Rai?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Chiang Rai costs around $118 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $237.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Chiang Rai?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Chiang Rai will cost around $276 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $553.

Is it expensive to backpack in Chiang Rai?

Chiang Rai is a popular backpacker destination with more than 10 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $8 per night. (See hostel prices in Chiang Rai here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $9 and the cheapest around $7 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Chiang Rai.

• $7 for a dorm bed at Mercy Hostel
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• $9 for a dorm bed at Baan Mai Kradan Hostel Chiang Rai
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• $8 for a dorm bed at Get Hi Hostel
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Are hotels expensive in Chiang Rai?

If you're considering hotel prices in Chiang Rai, you'll find them to be notably budget-friendly in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $19. In Chiang Rai, there are about 3 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $637. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $24 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $15 per night.

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Chiang Rai?

In Chiang Rai, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $7 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $18.

• Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $41
• Private Tour: Incredible Temples of Chiang Rai: $99
• Half Day Chiang Rai City Tour with White Temple & Wat Phra Kaew: $84
• Ancient City Tour from Chiang Rai including Golden Triangle and Royal Villa: $152
• Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $40
• Chiang Rai Food & Night Market Walking Tour with Local Host: $71
• Private Customizable Chiang Rai Tour from Chiang Rai - Full Day: $70
• Chiang Rai food & night market walking tour with local host : $167

Is food expensive in Chiang Rai?

In Chiang Rai, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $12 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $17.

• Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $50
• Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $57
• 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $47
• Chiang Rai: Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $86
• Authentic Private Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $33
• Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $82

Is transportation expensive in Chiang Rai?

The prices of local transportation in Chiang Rai can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $3 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $12. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Chiang Rai

If you're planning a trip to Chiang Rai, Thailand, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.