Chiang Mai Vs Chiang Rai | Differences and Similarities
Our backpacking trip around Southeast Asia was amazing, and we explored several places in Thailand. We spent nearly a month in Chiang Mai and a week in Chiang Rai. As we experienced the two cities, we noticed many differences and thought it would be helpful to share some insights. In this guide, we have highlighted…
Our backpacking trip around Southeast Asia was amazing, and we explored several places in Thailand. We spent nearly a month in Chiang Mai and a week in Chiang Rai.
As we experienced the two cities, we noticed many differences and thought it would be helpful to share some insights. In this guide, we have highlighted the key things you need to know about Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai.
Chiang Rai, the ancient capital of Lan na Kingdom in Northern Thailand, is often mistaken for Chiang Mai. However, in this article, you will find all the differences between the two cities. Knowing about both places is essential to deciding which one is better suited to your needs.
Chiang Mai is an ideal destination for digital nomads due to its excellent cafes and coworking spaces. Many expats stay in Chiang Mai for an extended period.
On the other hand, Chiang Rai is a more traditional and local place where people prefer to spend a few days away from the hustle and bustle of crowded cities.
Both cities have their unique charm and are worth visiting. This guide will help you compare Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai and give you all the necessary information before you start your journey.
Is Chiang Mai the same as Chiang Rai?
Absolutely No! It’s important to note that Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are two separate places located three hours apart. Chiang Mai is a popular city for digital nomads, while Chiang Rai is known for its beautiful temples, such as the Blue Temple and White Temple.
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Which is better, Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai?
When it comes to choosing between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, it all depends on your preferred travel style and what you are looking for in a destination. Both cities have their own unique charm and offer different experiences.
If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, then Chiang Rai is your perfect destination. It is a smaller, laid-back city with fantastic temples and a short distance from the Mekong River. It is an excellent place to unwind, explore Northern Thailand traditions, and do some work.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a larger and more developed city with a wide variety of things to see and do, Chiang Mai is the better option. It has a bustling expat community and is a popular destination for digital nomads and backpackers in Thailand. It is also closer to the border with Laos, making it an ideal choice for those who want to make a visa run.
Both cities are worth visiting, but it all depends on what you want to experience during your trip. If you are interested in history, culture, temples, and street food, then Chiang Mai is the best choice. However, if you want to immerse yourself in natural beauty and a more laid-back atmosphere, Chiang Rai is the perfect destination.
Can we do a day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
It is possible to take a day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, but it depends on the places you want to visit. The distance between the two cities is about 3-4 hours by road or just a one-hour flight away.
If you plan to visit the famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and the nearby Golden Triangle, you can do it on a day trip from Chiang Mai. However, you will have to start early in the morning and return late in the evening, so you will have limited time to explore the other attractions in Chiang Rai.
Alternatively, you can take a tour that covers the main attractions of Chiang Rai, including transportation, guide, and entrance fees. We suggest using Get Your Guide, which costs only £40 | $50 | €45. This can be a good option if you want to make the most of your time and have a more comfortable and organized experience. Check out this tour!
Note that a day trip may not give you enough time to explore the region and experience the city’s atmosphere. Hence, spending at least one night in Chiang Rai is recommended if you have extra time available. This will give you more opportunities to enjoy the local culture and create beautiful memories.
READ ALSO | How to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
What Are the Differences between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai?
There are several differences between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Here are a few:
| Chiang Mai | Chiang Rai | |
| How long should you stay | A week or more | 2-3 days |
| Best time to visit | During dry seasons, from October to April | October to February |
| Things to do | Elephant Sanctuary Doi Suthep Wat Chedi Luang Sunday night market hai cooking class | Blue Temple White Temple Wat Huay Pla Kang Temple |
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai: Food
Both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are located in northern Thailand and have distinct food identities, with local culinary traditions passed down through generations. Khao Soi is a must-try dish in the region, a coconut curry noodle soup that can be mildly or strongly spicy, depending on where you go. We discovered a fantastic restaurant in Chiang Mai called Grazie, which serves absolutely delicious food.
However, we had a more challenging time finding alternative food options in Chiang Rai. Although we visited the Chiang Rai night market, prices were generally higher than in Chiang Mai. While still inexpensive compared to Western prices, they were higher than the average we usually spend in Thailand.
To provide a practical example, a Pad Thai dish in Chiang Mai typically costs around 50 baht (£1.20 | $1.50 | €1.40), whereas the cheapest we found in Chiang Rai was 80 baht (£2 | $2.50 | €2.20). So, even though it is still relatively cheap, prices in Chiang Rai were approximately 50% higher than in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai: Value for Money
Throughout our entire trip to Thailand, we carefully tracked all our expenses on an internal spreadsheet. This allowed us to closely monitor how much we spent in each location on average.
For instance, during our almost 20-day stay in Chiang Mai, we spent around £700 on various activities, including accommodation, meals, night outs, scooter rentals, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Similarly, during our 4-day stay in Chiang Rai, we spent a total of £120 on everything, including accommodation, meals, and other expenses.
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand for the first time, we highly recommend visiting both of these amazing locations.
Our Chiang Mai travel guide provides more details on these incredible destinations. Additionally, Chiang Rai is the perfect destination for a 2-day trip from Chiang Mai, where you can visit stunning temples and enjoy other unique experiences.
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai: Things to Do
In our Chiang Mai travel guide, you will find more information on everything to do in Chiang Mai. We have highlighted the most popular attractions:
Things to do in Chiang Mai
- Go temples hopping
- Take a cooking class
- Visit Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon National Park
- Visit the Elephant Sanctuary
- Grab a beer at Zoe in Yellow
- Visit the night markets
- Cool down at Chiang Mai Sticky Waterfalls
- Explore the jungle in search of Waterfalls
Things to do in Chiang Rai
- Visit the Blue temple
- Check out the famous White Temple
- Enjoy the sunset from Wat Huay Pla Kang Temple
- Grab some food at Night Bazaar market
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai: Weather
Both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are cities in Northern Thailand. However, Chiang Rai is located further north, which makes it cooler than Chiang Mai by 2-4 degrees. At night, Chiang Rai maybe even cooler than Chiang Mai due to its positioning.
Weather in Chiang Mai
The ideal time to visit Chiang Mai is from October to April during the dry seasons when the average temperature hovers around 25/27 degrees Celsius. It is relatively cooler than Bangkok during this time.
It is best to avoid travelling to Chiang Mai from July to early October as it falls within the rainy season. However, during our month-long stay in Chiang Mai, we experienced only two heavy rainy days so the weather can be unpredictable.
Weather in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai’s temperature fluctuates between 21 and 23 degrees, making it cooler than Chiang Mai. Night-time temperatures can drop to 15 degrees, so bring a sweater.
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai: Length of Stay
We enjoy travelling slowly and staying longer at places we genuinely enjoy. Initially, we had planned to spend only 10 days in Chiang Mai, but we ended up spending a whole month there. If you have limited time and want to visit both places, we recommend spending at least 4-5 days in Chiang Mai and 3 days in Chiang Rai.
You can easily combine all the activities by planning your itinerary in advance. However, if you wish to spend more time in Chiang Mai, you can take a day trip to Chiang Rai and choose the tour that suits your preferences. You can consider checking out this tour!
READ ALSO | Is Chiang Rai worth visiting?
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai: Travel Costs
Thailand is known for being inexpensive, so you will not have to spend a lot if you plan your trip properly. For instance, during our month-long stay in Chiang Mai, we spent around £700, which covered our accommodation, meals, activities, scooter rentals, and other experiences.
However, remember that Chiang Mai is slightly more expensive than Chiang Rai due to the many tourist attractions and activities. On the other hand, Chiang Rai is a budget-friendly option since most of the main attractions are free, and the only place where you will have to pay an entrance fee is the White Temple, which costs 200 Baht. The Blue Temple and Wat Huay Pla Kang are free to visit.
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai: Nightlife
We found that Chiang Mai had the most vibrant nightlife during our trip. Every night, there was something to do or a new pop up market.
The city has many open spaces, markets, bars, and clubs, making it the best place to experience Thailand’s nightlife. We particularly enjoyed spending time at Zoe, which became our go-to place for a great evening every night.
Although Chiang Rai also had a decent nightlife, it could not compare to Chiang Mai. However, during our visit, there was a festival in Chiang Rai, and the locals were dancing to live music, and there were fantastic food stands all around.
There are flights between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
Are there flights available from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai? The answer is yes! You can quickly fly between the two cities and vice versa. The flight duration is about an hour, and several companies operate flights between them. AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Vietjet, and Bangkok Airways offer flights between these northern cities.
Multiple flights are available daily, and the cheapest option costs around $20 for a one-way trip. Booking in advance can help save some money.
Chiang Rai vs Chiang Mai: Day Trips
Day trip from Chiang Mai
From Chiang Mai, you have more flexibility to plan a day trip; here are some ideas:
- Chiang Rai
- Doi Suthep
- Huay Tung Tao Lake
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Elephant Nature Park – BOOK IT HERE!
- Chiang Dao Cave
Day Trip from Chiang Rai
- Chiang Mai
- Doi Luang National Park
- Akha Village – CHECK THE AVAILABILITY!
- Doi Tung and Doi Mea Salong
How to go from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
Different modes of transportation are available from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
BUS
Travelling between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai can be made convenient and affordable by taking a bus. This route is popular amongst backpackers and is considered the cheapest option. Regular buses depart from Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Station and arrive at Chiang Rai’s bus station. The journey usually takes 3 to 4 hours, depending on the traffic and route. You can purchase the ticket onboard the bus.
CAR
Renting a car in Thailand can be great if you value flexibility and privacy. It is particularly convenient if you are travelling with your family. The journey usually lasts around 3 to 4 hours, allowing you to set your own pace.
FLIGHT
One of the most convenient ways to travel between the two major northern cities is by taking a flight. Several flights are available daily between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, which usually takes about an hour. However, this option tends to be more expensive and less comfortable due to the need to go through security and the hassle of bargaining for a reasonable rate for the taxi to the airport. Despite this, many airlines serve this route, ensuring daily flights are available.
TRAIN CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI
There is a night train from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, but it may not be the most comfortable or fastest option, taking about 8-9 hours.
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai: Accommodation
Depending on where you plan to stay, you can find great deals on accommodation in Chiang Mai. The city is vast so you can stay in the Old Town or Needham’s “Digital Nomad” area.
During our first visit to Chiang Mai, we spent the first ten days within the Old Town walls and the rest of our stay outside the city centre. On our trip to Chiang Rai, we stayed central, about 15 minutes walk from the Night Bazaar, as it was a short trip.
We have put together our recommendations for the best places to stay in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai below.
READ ALSO | Renting a scooter in Chiang Mai
