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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Dublin?

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 Dublin. 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Chiang Mai and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Dublin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chiang Mai. Although Chiang Mai and Dublin are popular destinations, Chiang Mai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chiang Mai is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dublin attracts visitors for its nightlife and music. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Dublin 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. Dublin is famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

How is Chiang Mai different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Mai is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Chiang Mai is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Chiang Mai or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin 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 Dublin just to party. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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 Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is a great city for live music. However, Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the great old town areas in both Chiang Mai and Dublin.

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 Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Is Chiang Mai or Dublin Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is terrific for its hiking experiences. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Dublin?

Chiang Mai is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Chiang Mai or Dublin Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Dublin 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.

Dublin is a very kid-friendly city. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Chiang Mai or Dublin Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai and Dublin both great 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.

Dublin is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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

Chiang Mai is terrific for backpackers. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Chiang Mai or Dublin Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Chiang Mai and Dublin 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.

Dublin has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Chiang Mai or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Dublin is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Dublin?

In either Chiang Mai or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai than Dublin because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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 fun city of Dublin, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're 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 Dublin?

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 destination of Dublin, there's plenty to do. 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 nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Dublin?

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.

Dublin, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Dublin?

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.

Dublin is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

Dublin 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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Dublin. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Dublin. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin and Chiang Mai during the winter 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Dublin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, many travelers come to Dublin for the activities around the city.

The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chiang Mai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dublin. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Chiang Mai