Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Chiang Mai?
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 Chiang Mai or Khao Yai National Park?
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 Chiang Mai and Khao Yai National Park. 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: Chiang Mai or Khao Yai National Park?
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.
Khao Yai National Park
Adventurous travelers are always in search of new terrain to conquer. At over 2,000 square kilometers, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, and just full of jungles to trek through. In the southwest of Thailand is a sanctuary of mountains and waterfalls.
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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Chiang Mai Prices
Thailand PricesKhao Yai National Park Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $61Khao Yai National Park $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $61, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $85. 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 Chiang Mai and Khao Yai National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $30Khao Yai National Park $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $60Khao Yai National Park $82
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Khao Yai National Park
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Khao Yai National Park? 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $4.18Khao Yai National Park $16
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$1.26
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Moped Rental$5.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zipline Adventure at Chiang Mai with Return Transfer: $220
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $15
- Sticky Waterfall Retreat and Chet Si Fountain Transfer: $21
- Private Vehicle: Transfer from Airport in Chiang Mai: $21
- Private Transfer: Four Seasons Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport: $28
- 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 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: $175
- Private Transfer Chiang Mai Airport to Hotel in Chiang Mai by Car and Van: $42
- Private Car Transfer – Chiang Mai Airport: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer : Chiang Mai International Airport (SHA Plus): $17
- Private Arrival Transfer - Chiang Mai Airport to Chiang Mai City Hotel(SHA Plus): $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Khao Yai National Park?
Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $21Khao Yai National Park $33
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)$6.12
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.75
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Casual Breakfast$1.26
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.28
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Mangoes$0.94
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Coffee$1.57
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: $10
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $10
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $22
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $22
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $22
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Morning Thai cooking class : $29
- Evening Thai cooking class : $29
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $29
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai : $29
- Cooking class in organic garden and local market tour ThaiCottage: $29
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Cultural Show Tour in Chiang Mai: $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Khao Yai National Park $10
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$41
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.88
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Kratong Lessons$3.14
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Pedicure$4.71
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.65
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Chiang Mai ATV, Hiking and Rafting Adventure: $81
- Chiang Mai Half Day Rice Planting and Cultural Experience: $51
- Chiang Mai Trekking Tour :Full day (no rafting): $57
- Doi suthep temple & Hidden temple half day private tour(5 hrs.) : $48
- Skyline Jungle Luge and Zipline Adventure Chiang Mai: $58
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $156
- 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: $191
- 1 Day Trek and Sticky Waterfall Tour in Chiang Mai: $86
- 1 Hr Chiang Mai Buggy Tour (Off-Road): $172
- 1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang: $138
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.78Khao Yai National Park $13
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$3.14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Khao Yai National Park is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Khao Yai National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Yai National Park 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 Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Khao Yai National Park?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Khao Yai National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. Khao Yai National Park receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Park. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 315 mm (12.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Khao Yai National Park 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Khao Yai National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Khao Yai National Park. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Yai National Park throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Khao Yai National Park. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in October than Khao Yai National Park. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Khao Yai National Park. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 206 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chiang Mai in October average around 29°C (83°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Khao Yai National Park 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Khao Yai National Park in the Winter?
Both Khao Yai National Park and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February. In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Park. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Khao Yai National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Yai National Park during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 23°C (74°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Khao Yai National Park 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Khao Yai National Park in the Spring?
Both Khao Yai National Park and Chiang Mai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.
June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. Khao Yai National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than Khao Yai National Park. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 128 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Khao Yai National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Yai National Park. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 262 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Chiang Mai this time of the year. Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 30°C (87°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Khao Yai National Park 30°C (87°F)
Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Khao Yai National Park | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 225 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 277 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 315 mm (12.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 385 mm (15.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.