A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Marseille?

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 Marseille. 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, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Chiang Mai and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Marseille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Chiang Mai than Marseille. Chiang Mai is bigger than Marseille, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is better known for its museums, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Marseille is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Marseille 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. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Chiang Mai different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Chiang Mai and Marseille both to be world-class destinations.

Eat your way through Chiang Mai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

For foodies, Marseille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Is Chiang Mai or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille 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 Marseille just to party. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

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 Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for its beaches. However, Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Marseille offers a nice beach destination. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Is Chiang Mai or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Marseille 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.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Marseille?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Marseille is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Chiang Mai or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Chiang Mai does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Chiang Mai does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Chiang Mai or Marseille Better for Families?

Chiang Mai is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options 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.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Chiang Mai or Marseille Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai and Marseille 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.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

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

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Chiang Mai or Marseille Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Chiang Mai and Marseille both offer notable 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.

Marseille has a few public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Chiang Mai or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille 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.

Marseille is very walkable. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore 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 Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Marseille?

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

Families should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Marseille. 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 Marseille than Chiang Mai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marseille that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Marseille 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 Marseille?

People visit Chiang Mai because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With shopping and nightlife around the energetic city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Marseille?

People visit Chiang Mai because there is so much to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, 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. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Marseille?

People visit Chiang Mai because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Marseille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Marseille?

Chiang Mai is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chiang Mai, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Marseille 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Marseille?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Marseille, 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 Marseille?

Marseille 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 Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Marseille. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Marseille. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Marseille. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Marseille. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the winter, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Marseille during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Marseille. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Chiang Mai during the spring 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 travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Marseille. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Chiang Mai