A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Belfast for Food, Backpackers, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Belfast?

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 Belfast. 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 laid-back, friendly, and cultural 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. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping.

Chiang Mai and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Belfast?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chiang Mai than Belfast, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Belfast and is popular for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. It is also home to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Belfast is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Chiang Mai different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Chiang Mai that are not to be missed. 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.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chiang Mai is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Chiang Mai or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Chiang Mai is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Chiang Mai offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is Chiang Mai or Belfast Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Chiang Mai to see the historical old town. 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.

Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Belfast Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Chiang Mai draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Belfast?

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Chiang Mai is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Chiang Mai or Belfast Better for Families?

Chiang Mai is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Belfast is a family-friendly city. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is Chiang Mai or Belfast Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is a well-known place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Chiang Mai is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

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

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chiang Mai is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Chiang Mai or Belfast Better for Students?

Belfast is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Chiang Mai is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Chiang Mai has a few public transit options. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Chiang Mai or Belfast a more walkable city?

Chiang Mai and Belfast 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.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Belfast?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chiang Mai and Belfast. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai than in Belfast. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 1-3 days is enough time in Belfast.

Families should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Belfast. 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 Belfast. 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 Belfast 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 Belfast?

Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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.

With shopping and nightlife around the authentic city of Belfast, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Belfast, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Belfast?

Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Belfast, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Belfast?

Chiang Mai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Belfast, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Belfast?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Mai. Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Belfast is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Belfast, we can see that Belfast 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 Belfast is in Europe, 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 Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast 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 Belfast Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Belfast?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Belfast, 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 Chiang Mai or Belfast?

Belfast has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Belfast in the Summer?

Both Belfast and Chiang Mai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Belfast in the summer. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Belfast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belfast. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 151 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Belfast. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Belfast in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Belfast. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Belfast. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chiang Mai in October average around 29°C (83°F), and Belfast averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 92 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Belfast. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Belfast in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Belfast. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Belfast this time of year.

It's quite cold in Belfast in the winter. In January, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Belfast. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 23°C (74°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Belfast. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 50 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Belfast. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Belfast in the Spring?

Both Belfast and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Belfast for the activities around the city.

It's very hot in Chiang Mai this time of the year. Chiang Mai is much warmer than Belfast in the spring. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Belfast fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chiang Mai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Belfast. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Typical Weather for Belfast and Chiang Mai