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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Dallas?

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 Dallas. 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 natural, temple-filled, and laid-back 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a active, upscale, and chic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Chiang Mai and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Dallas?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Chiang Mai than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. It is also well known for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Dallas is famous for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Chiang Mai different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Chiang Mai are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Dallas has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is Chiang Mai or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find high quality options in both Chiang Mai and Dallas.

The nightlife in Chiang Mai has something for everybody. 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.

Dallas offers plenty to do in the evening. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is Chiang Mai or Dallas Better for its Old Town?

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

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Dallas Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Chiang Mai specifically for its hiking. 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.

Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Dallas?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Chiang Mai make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Chiang Mai or Dallas Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Dallas 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.

Dallas is a very kid-friendly city. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is Chiang Mai or Dallas Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai and Dallas 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.

Dallas is a very popular place to visit for couples. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit 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.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

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

Chiang Mai and Dallas both offer nice 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.

Dallas has a few public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Chiang Mai or Dallas a more walkable city?

Chiang Mai is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Chiang Mai or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

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

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 museums and nightlife around the active city of Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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 nightlife and food around the destination of Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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.

Dallas, 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 Dallas?

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.

Dallas 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

Dallas 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 Dallas in the Summer?

Both Dallas 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, many visitors come to Dallas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Dallas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Dallas averages at about 88°F (31°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 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 Dallas. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Dallas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 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 Dallas. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Dallas in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Dallas. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Dallas because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Dallas in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

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 Dallas. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Dallas. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas 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, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Dallas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Dallas averages at about 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Dallas during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Dallas. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Chiang Mai