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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Berlin?

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 Berlin. 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 friendly, cultural, and welcoming city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Berlin

Berlin is a eclectic, diverse, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Chiang Mai and Berlin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Berlin?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Chiang Mai than Berlin. While Berlin is larger than Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Chiang Mai is very popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Berlin attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, and big city activities. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Berlin and is known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. It is also well known for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Berlin is famous for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history.

How is Chiang Mai different from Berlin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berlin 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 Berlin?

Spend time exploring the world-class sights and museums in either Chiang Mai or Berlin.

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.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Berlin are among the most recognizable in the world. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.

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

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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.

Dining out in Berlin is an experience not to be missed. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.

Is Chiang Mai or Berlin Better for Nightlife?

Berlin is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

People head to Berlin just to party. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.

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.

Is Chiang Mai or Berlin Better for Music?

Berlin is a world-class destination for live music. However, Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Berlin is known as a music capital around the world. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Berlin Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is a great city for its old town. However, Berlin 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.

Berlin does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Berlin Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Berlin 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.

Berlin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Berlin?

If you're looking to go shopping, Chiang Mai and Berlin both offer plenty of world-class spots.

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.

The abundance of shops in Berlin make it a world-class shopping destination. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.

Is Chiang Mai or Berlin Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Berlin are great 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.

Berlin is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

Is Chiang Mai or Berlin Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

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.

Berlin is a good city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.

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

For backpackers, both Chiang Mai and Berlin are world-class places to visit.

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.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Berlin. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

Is Chiang Mai or Berlin Better for Students?

Berlin is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Berlin is a very popular place to visit for students. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Berlin is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Berlin can get you around easily. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

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

Is Chiang Mai or Berlin a more walkable city?

Chiang Mai and Berlin are nice 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.

Berlin is a somewhat walkable place. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.

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

Should I spend more time in Berlin or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Berlin?

Both Chiang Mai and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 2-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Berlin. 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 Berlin. 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 Berlin than Chiang Mai 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 Berlin.

One day in Chiang Mai or Berlin?

Chiang Mai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With live music and food around the cultural city of Berlin, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Berlin?

Chiang Mai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With food and shopping around the big city destination of Berlin, 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 Berlin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Mai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Berlin, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Berlin?

Chiang Mai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Berlin is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. 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 Adventure Tours to Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Berlin?

Berlin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Berlin, 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 Berlin?

Berlin 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 Berlin in the Summer?

Both Berlin and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Berlin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Berlin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Berlin averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Berlin. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Berlin during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Berlin. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Berlin in the Autumn?

Both Berlin and Chiang Mai during the autumn 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Berlin because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 106 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Berlin. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Berlin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Berlin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.

It's quite cold in Berlin in the winter. Chiang Mai is much warmer than Berlin in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Berlin fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Berlin. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Berlin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Berlin. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Berlin for the activities around the city.

The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Berlin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Berlin averages at about 9°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 160 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in April than Berlin. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Berlin and Chiang Mai