A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Arrowtown for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Backpackers

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

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 Arrowtown. 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.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a welcoming, natural, and temple-filled city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a quirky, historic, and charming town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Chiang Mai and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chiang Mai. Although Chiang Mai and Arrowtown are both popular with visitors, Chiang Mai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Chiang Mai is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Arrowtown is known for its skiing, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Arrowtown and is known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. It is also home to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Arrowtown is popular for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes.

How is Chiang Mai different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Chiang Mai or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a great town for skiing. However, Chiang Mai is not a skiing destination.

Arrowtown offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Chiang Mai is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

Chiang Mai is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Chiang Mai from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

Arrowtown offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chiang Mai is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Chiang Mai has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arrowtown. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Chiang Mai or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

Chiang Mai is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Chiang Mai has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Arrowtown has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Chiang Mai or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the high quality old town areas in both Chiang Mai and Arrowtown.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Chiang Mai. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Arrowtown. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Is Chiang Mai or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Chiang Mai and Arrowtown, and they are first-rate.

Chiang Mai is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

People visit Arrowtown specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

Chiang Mai is terrific for shopping. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Chiang Mai. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

Arrowtown is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Is Chiang Mai or Arrowtown Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Arrowtown are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly destination. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

Arrowtown is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Is Chiang Mai or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai and Arrowtown both high quality destinations for a couple.

Chiang Mai is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Arrowtown is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Is Chiang Mai or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Chiang Mai. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

Arrowtown is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Is Chiang Mai or Arrowtown Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chiang Mai and Arrowtown both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Chiang Mai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Arrowtown has a few public transit options. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Chiang Mai or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Chiang Mai and Arrowtown are good when it comes to walkability.

Chiang Mai is somewhat walkable. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Chiang Mai Worth Visiting? and Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chiang Mai than Arrowtown because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arrowtown.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Arrowtown 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 Chiang Mai.

One day in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

People visit Chiang Mai because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Arrowtown might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arrowtown, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

People visit Chiang Mai because there is so much to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Even though Arrowtown is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

People visit Chiang Mai because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Arrowtown, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

Chiang Mai is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chiang Mai, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arrowtown is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Arrowtown, we can see that Arrowtown is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Arrowtown is in Pacific, 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 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 Arrowtown would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Arrowtown?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 460 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Arrowtown, 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.