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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Glasgow?

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 Glasgow. 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 temple-filled, laid-back, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, Chiang Mai attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Chiang Mai travel costs.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a high energy, friendly, and cultural 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. See Glasgow travel costs.

Chiang Mai and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Glasgow?

You'll generally find more things to do in Chiang Mai than Glasgow. Chiang Mai is bigger than Glasgow, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is better known for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Glasgow is more popular for its nightlife and music. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Glasgow and is known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Also, Chiang Mai is famous for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Glasgow is well known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population.

How is Chiang Mai different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Chiang Mai has many famous sights for visitors. 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 Glasgow. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow 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.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Chiang Mai or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow just to party. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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 Glasgow Better for Music?

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

Glasgow is known as a music capital around the world. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Many visitors go to Glasgow to see the historical old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Is Chiang Mai or Glasgow Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Glasgow?

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Chiang Mai specifically to go shopping. 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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Chiang Mai or Glasgow More Beautiful?

Chiang Mai is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Glasgow is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Chiang Mai attracts visitors from all around. It is famous for it's beautiful surrounding countryside where visitors often enjoy trekking and getting out in nature. The city is also filled with historic temples, night markets, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Glasgow is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chiang Mai or Glasgow Better for Families?

Chiang Mai is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Chiang Mai. 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.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Chiang Mai or Glasgow Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is great for couples. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

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

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Chiang Mai, as it is a very popular city for 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.

Glasgow is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Is Chiang Mai or Glasgow Better for Students?

Glasgow is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Many students visit Glasgow. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Glasgow is a great city 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.

Public transit in Glasgow is fairly effecient and thorough. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

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 Glasgow a more walkable city?

Glasgow is a great city for its walkability. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Glasgow is very walkable. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored 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 Glasgow Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Glasgow?

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

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

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 live music and food around the historic city of Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

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 food and shopping around the destination of Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

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.

Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

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.

Glasgow 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 Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Glasgow?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow in the Summer?

Both Glasgow 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 Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Glasgow during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Glasgow. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Glasgow in the Autumn?

Both Glasgow 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Glasgow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Glasgow fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in October than Glasgow. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Glasgow in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Glasgow in the winter. In the winter, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Glasgow averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Glasgow in the Spring?

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

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 7°C (45°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 Glasgow. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than Glasgow. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Chiang Mai