A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangkok vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bangkok or New Orleans?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and New Orleans can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a high energy, cultural, and alluring capital city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a fun-filled, festive, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bangkok and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangkok or New Orleans?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in New Orleans than Bangkok. While Bangkok is larger than New Orleans, New Orleans has more sights and attractions for tourists. New Orleans is more popular for its music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Bangkok is known for its museums, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Bangkok and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter. Bangkok is popular for its colorful temples, lively markets, wild nightlife, and sprawling shopping malls.

The French Quarter

How is Bangkok different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Orleans and Bangkok. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bangkok or New Orleans?

Bangkok is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Bangkok from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with golden temples and beautiful statues of Buddha. Famous landmarks include the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the Temple of the Golden Buddha.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bangkok or New Orleans? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Bangkok and New Orleans both to be world-class destinations.

Many restaurants in Bangkok have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has many colorful markets, street food vendors, and a range of restaurants from casual to high end. The aroma and beautiful flavors of local dishes are a big part of the experience in this city. Dishes that you must try include Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong (shrimp soup), and Gaeng Daeng (red curry). Many foods are very spicy so make sure you order with "no spice" if that is your preference.

Eat your way through New Orleans, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Is Bangkok or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Bangkok or New Orleans has a better nightlife scene.

People head to Bangkok just to party. Cheap drinks, late nights, and crazy parties make this city a favorite for backpackers and young party-goers. Head to Khao San Road for the biggest crowds and crazy parties. Nana Plaza is another option with a three story building that is filled with bars and clubs.

The nightlife in New Orleans is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

Is Bangkok or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for live music. However, Bangkok is not a live music destination.

New Orleans is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Bangkok is not a live music destination.

Is Bangkok or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a great destination for its historic old town. However, Bangkok does not have a historic old town.

New Orleans is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Bangkok does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangkok or New Orleans?

Bangkok is a world-class destination for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Bangkok. Shopping options range from modern malls to more traditional markets. The malls offer bargain prices for technology and gadgets while the markets offer fabric, food, local goods, and a unique experience. The city also has nearby floating markets as well as night markets, which let you experience a different side to the culture.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Bangkok or New Orleans Better for Families?

Bangkok is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Bangkok is a very family-friendly destination. This city is full of energy and kids will love the vibrant atmosphere. There are colorful temples, spirited markets, and kid-friendly museums. It's good to choose a hotel with a pool, as temperatures can get hot during the day. Kids will also enjoy having new experiences like riding in a tuk tuk or taking a boat ride. There are also a number of amusement parks and entertainment centers around town.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Bangkok or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Bangkok is a world-class destination for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Bangkok is a great capital city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This is a great city for couples who enjoy culture, food, partying, and soaking up life. Wandering the grounds of the stunning temples, sampling food at the markets, or taking a boat cruise will all make memorable experiences.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Bangkok or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bangkok is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Bangkok. This part of the world is a mecca for backpackers, and many arrive or depart from this city. It's filled with hostels and budget accommodation, as well as entertainment, bars, tours (and even scams so stay alert). The most famous backpacker area is around Khao San Road, where you'll find parties, bars, street food, and large crowds. If you're looking for a slightly more mellow vibe, you should consider a different area like Phaya Thai.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Bangkok or New Orleans Better for Students?

New Orleans is a city with good options for students. However, Bangkok is not popular with students.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Bangkok is not popular with students.

Is Bangkok or New Orleans Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bangkok is a capital city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Bangkok has some public transit options. The Skytrain and Metro are the most efficient way to get around. The city's crazy traffic can make buses and taxis a bit frustrating, but tuk tuks are also a fun option.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Bangkok or New Orleans a more walkable city?

New Orleans is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Bangkok is a capital city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

New Orleans is somewhat walkable. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

Bangkok is generally not a very walkable capital city. The crowds and size make walking a bit challenging, so it's best to plan your day in advance.

For even more information, also check out Is Bangkok Worth Visiting? and Is New Orleans Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Bangkok?

How long in Bangkok or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bangkok and New Orleans. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bangkok than in New Orleans. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Bangkok, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

Families should spend more time in Bangkok than New Orleans. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bangkok, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bangkok than New Orleans. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bangkok that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bangkok than New Orleans if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bangkok.

One day in Bangkok or New Orleans?

Bangkok is a spirited capital city where you can fill many days. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In New Orleans, you'll find food and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Bangkok or New Orleans?

Bangkok is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This capital city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In New Orleans, you'll find nightlife and live music. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Orleans has to offer.

Five days in Bangkok or New Orleans?

Bangkok is a colorful capital city where you can fill many days. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bangkok or New Orleans?

Bangkok is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this capital city.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting New Orleans. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bangkok is in Asia and New Orleans is in North America, 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 Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Bangkok.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is New Orleans Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bangkok or New Orleans?

Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and New Orleans, 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 Bangkok or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bangkok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bangkok or New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as New Orleans. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

Bangkok is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the summer. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In the summer, Bangkok often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Bangkok gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the summer. Bangkok usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as New Orleans. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangkok or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Bangkok is a little warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bangkok in October average around 28°C (83°F), and New Orleans averages at about 69°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. Bangkok usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during autumn. Bangkok gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Bangkok. In October, Bangkok usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Bangkok is November to February. The rainy season in Bangkok is May to October.

Should I visit Bangkok or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans and Bangkok during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Bangkok is generally much warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 27°C (80°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Bangkok. In the winter, Bangkok often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Bangkok gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bangkok usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Bangkok.

Should I visit Bangkok or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and New Orleans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the activities around the city during these months.

Bangkok is much warmer than New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 31°C (87°F) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Bangkok, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bangkok usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during spring. Bangkok gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bangkok usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Bangkok