Bangkok vs Chiang Mai: Thai-ing to Decide Which City is Better?

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Street food is everywhere in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but even basic dishes in Bangkok start at 60 baht ($1.50 USD). In contrast, in Chiang Mai, you can easily find pad Thai for 30 baht (<$1).

Another favorite? Thai massage prices start at around 200 baht in Chiang Mai and 300 in Bangkok, although cheaper and more luxurious options can always be found. Bangkok spa services can generally be around 50% as a base price compared to Chiang Mai.

Transportation & Ease of Travel

The main expense that varies significantly in Bangkok is transportation costs in terms of time and money. Due to Bangkok’s large size, traveling to any destination can be time-consuming and the costs add up.

In Bangkok, the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway system are popular options. A one-way ticket costs 16-44 THB ($0.50-$1.50 USD), depending on the distance traveled. The base price of taxis and tuk-tuks starts much higher here and depends on your negotiating skills. The cheapest way to get around is the public buses, which cost 8 – 25 baht ($0.25-$0.75 USD).

Public transportation is less developed in Chiang Mai, but it’s a much more walkable city. Songthaews (a type of shared taxi) are an affordable option, costing around 30 THB (<$1 USD) per ride, or Grab (Thailand’s Uber) is very reasonable too. I recommend renting a scooter for 200 baht ($6 USD) per day for trips outside the city. 

Weather: Is Bangkok hotter than Chiang Mai?

Both Bangkok and Chiang Mai have a tropical monsoon climate, with hot and humid weather year-round. Thailand’s peak tourist season is between November and March, and they generally have similar weather patterns throughout the year

Thailand has three distinct seasons: cool (October-February), hot (March-June), and rainy season (July-September). October to February is considered the best time of year to visit, with cooler temperatures and lower humidity.

Located in central Thailand, Bangkok’s weather is always hot. Even in the cool season, it’s comfortable in a T-shirt. 

Chiang Mai’s climate is a bit more moderate, with a brief two-week period around Christmastime when temperatures can drop enough to require a jacket at night. However, from February through April, wildfire season brings air pollution levels to over 500, and most tourists clear out around that time.

Food

Thai cuisine is renowned worldwide, and while Bangkok’s street food scene is unbeatable, Chiang Mai’s signature dishes have a rich, northern Thai flavor that’s hard to beat. 

Bangkok is a food lover’s paradise, with limitless dishes on every street corner. From savory Pad Thai to sweet and tangy mango sticky rice, I ate Thai food every day for 5 months and never got sick of it. Make sure to notice hidden hole-in-the-wall restaurants that are surprisingly Michelin-recommended or the best food court I’ve ever been to in Terminal 21 mall.

Northern Thai cuisine is the star of the show in Chiang Mai. Visitors can sample unique dishes with bold flavors not found in other regions of Thailand. Chiang Mai’s food is very much influenced by the neighboring countries of Laos and Myanmar, with traditional Lanna cuisines such as Khao Soi and Nam Prik Ong.

Culture

Thailand is a country with a rich and fascinating culture that’s significantly influenced by Buddhist principles. 

Bangkok’s culture is a heightened combination of the old and the new. The city’s development and modernization over decades didn’t imply a loss of its traditional charm. Chiang Mai’s culture, on the other hand, is more laid-back, focusing on tradition and natural beauty.

Can’t Miss Bangkok Culture

• Temples: There are so many Buddhist temples or wats throughout the city, with Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, being the most famous.
• Palaces: Bangkok is home to the spectacular Grand Palace, an immaculate complex of palaces, chapels, and temples.
• Nightlife: Bangkok’s nightlife is famous, like Khao San Road, a backpacker’s paradise to the more seedy gogo bars of Nana Plaza or Sukhumvit’s Cowboy Soi.

Can’t Miss Chiang Mai Culture

• Temples: Witness the rich Lanna-style temples in Chiang Mai’s old city, such as Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Chiang Man.
• Festivals: Chiang Mai hosts many traditional festivals, like Loi Krathong & Yi Peng lantern festival, where thousands of paper lanterns are released into the night sky or the Flower Festival in February.

Geography & Landscape

Key Landmarks and Attractions

Bangkok’s skyline is characterized by towering skyscrapers, giant shopping malls, and historic landmarks. The city is also home to excellent museums, art galleries, and bustling night markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Chiang Mai’s landmarks are more understated, focusing on local culture and traditions. The city is renowned for its ancient walled city, moated fortress, and the Riverside.

Natural Beauty

Bangkok may have its fair share of parks like Lumphini Park and Chatuchak Park, but it really is just crazy urbanized. You’ll have to take transport for about an hour to get to the historical city, Ayutthaya, or three hours to see the wildlife of Khao Yai or waterfalls of Erawan National Park. 

Chiang Mai is better known for its natural beauty, with towering mountains, dense jungles, and waterfalls seen from the city center. The city is a gateway to the Northern Thai Highlands, where you can embark on treks with elephants and meditate in faraway Buddhist temples. The Doi Inthanon National Park is a day trip away and marks Thailand’s highest point.

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Chiang Mai vs. Bangkok: Which City is Better to Visit?

Which is Better for Nightlife: Chiang Mai or Bangkok?

Thailand is famous for its neon red signs and exciting “never sleep” nightlife attitude, and 100% I’m going to give Bangkok the win for nightlife. 

Bangkok is the undisputed king of party cities in Thailand. Its atmosphere is lively, loud, and full of energy. Bangkok nightlife is a mix of world-class rooftop bars (like Skybar, where drinks start at 40$) to underground raves, “behind closed doors” red lights districts to never-ending Khao San road street parties. 

The nightlife attracts an international crowd, from backpackers to top-shelf liquor clientele to those drawn to sex tourism.

Most popular Bangkok party areas: 

• Khao San Road
• Soi Cowboy
• In General, Sukhumvit Area

Chiang Mai’s nightlife scene is much more relaxed and low-key, with live music venues and beer-focused bars. Chiang Mai pretty much has no dress code anywhere, and it’s much more often to hang out at the weekend market than do balloons and listen to techno until 6am…but that does still exist.

Most popular Chiang Mai party areas: 

• Zoe in Yellow (but Old City has good bars too)
• In general, the Nimman area
• Red & BYB are the few after-hours clubs I know of

Which is better for digital nomads: Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

Thanks to its affordability, friendly locals, and amazing long-term tourist and expat community, Thailand has become a trendy destination for digital nomads. Bangkok and Chiang Mai, two of the country’s most famous cities, are particularly attractive to remote workers. 

Internet speed and connectivity are vital for digital nomads, and both cities have world-class infrastructure in place. Bangkok’s internet speed is somewhat faster than Chiang Mai’s, but the difference is negligible. Additionally, unlimited prepaid cell phone service with great connectivity nationwide can be purchased for 200 baht per month ($7 USD).

Both cities have an abundance of coworking spaces and coffee shops to work from. Bangkok, being a more prominent city, has more coworking spaces. Chiang Mai has a fabulous digital nomad community that meets at least twice a week, plus additional special panels and presentations.

Which is better for backpackers: Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

As a backpacker myself, you should really visit both. 

Thailand is the OG backpacker spot, and Bangkok is the gateway to the southern beaches. Ferry to Railay Beach of Krabi or boat to Phi Phi Island’s Maya Bay to chiller gems like Koh Phayam. 

Chiang Mai serves as the starting point for unique cultural experiences. From tours to Chiang Rai’s stunning temples (White Temple, Black House, Blue Temple) to the Golden Triangle to the backpacker haven of Pai, you won’t be disappointed.

Which City Is Better on a Budget?

Both cities are incredibly affordable, but Chiang Mai is cheaper than Bangkok. You’ll get more value for your money in Chiang Mai with cheaper accommodations, food, and transportation. However, Bangkok also has great budget-friendly options; you’ll just have to do some research.

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Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

If you want to visit both, getting between the two cities is straightforward. Almost everyone flies into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport when they first land. Very interconnected, the international airport connects to anywhere in the city. 

✈️ By Flight: Very cheap, multiple direct flights are serviced by low-cost carriers daily. Domestic flights may leave from Don Mueang International Airport, so make sure you check beforehand. The two airports are far apart, but the short trip is just an hour’s flight time, landing at Chiang Mai International Airport. 

🚞 By Train: Almost the same price as a flight, Bangkok and Chiang Mai have daily day and overnight sleeper trains that run between the two cities. This train ride takes about 10 – 14 hours but is very comfortable, as long as you don’t get a third-class ticket.

🚌 By Bus: Go to the Bangkok Mochit Station; many bus companies leave all day. Busses take about 10 – 14 hours too. It is more comfortable than the third-class train seat but less comfortable than a first-class ticket. 

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