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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Hobart?

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 Hobart. 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 nightlife, food, and hiking.

Hobart

Hobart is a fascinating, quaint, and historical city. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.

Chiang Mai and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Hobart?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chiang Mai. Although Chiang Mai and Hobart are popular destinations, Chiang Mai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Hobart 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. Hobart is famous for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails.

How is Chiang Mai different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Chiang Mai are world-renowned. 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Hobart. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Chiang Mai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Hobart is an experience not to be missed. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

Is Chiang Mai or Hobart Better for Nightlife?

Chiang Mai is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Chiang Mai for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hobart. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

Is Chiang Mai or Hobart Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is great for its old town. However, Hobart does not have a historic old town.

Chiang Mai is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Hobart does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Hobart Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is renowned for hiking. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Around Chiang Mai visitors will find world-class hiking 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.

Hobart is a popular spot for hiking. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Hobart?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Chiang Mai draws large crowds to its 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hobart. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

Is Chiang Mai or Hobart Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Hobart are very good 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.

Hobart is a very kid-friendly city. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

Is Chiang Mai or Hobart Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai and Hobart both very good 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.

Hobart is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Chiang Mai is extremely popular for backpackers. 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 backpackers visit Hobart. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

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

Chiang Mai and Hobart 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.

Hobart has a few public transit options. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Is Chiang Mai or Hobart a more walkable city?

Hobart 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.

Hobart is very walkable. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring 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 Hobart Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Hobart?

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

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

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 quaint city of Hobart, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Hobart?

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 Hobart, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Hobart?

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.

Hobart, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Hobart?

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.

Hobart 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 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, and The Best Walking Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Hobart?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Hobart, 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 Hobart?

Hobart 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 Hobart in the Summer?

Both Hobart 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, the summer months attract visitors to Hobart because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Hobart. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Hobart averages at about 17°C (63°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Hobart. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Hobart during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Hobartin January. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hobart in the Autumn?

Both Hobart 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 hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Hobart this time of year.

In October, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Hobartin April. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Hobartin April. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 178 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 Hobartin April. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hobart in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Hobart. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hobart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Hobart in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Hobart fluctuates around 9°C (47°F)in July.

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Hobartin July. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Hobart in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Hobart. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Hobart. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Hobart averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hobart. 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 Hobartin October. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 209 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than Hobartin October. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Hobart and Chiang Mai