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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or New Orleans?

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 New Orleans. 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 welcoming, natural, and temple-filled city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a festive, vibrant, and energetic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Chiang Mai and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or New Orleans?

Both New Orleans and Chiang Mai have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Chiang Mai is more popular for its museums, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while New Orleans is known for its nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere. Chiang Mai is popular for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. New Orleans is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties.

How is Chiang Mai different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Travelers visit Chiang Mai from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Chiang Mai and New Orleans both to be fantastic 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, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Is Chiang Mai or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans 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 New Orleans just to party. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

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 New Orleans Better for Music?

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

New Orleans is known as a music capital around the world. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Chiang Mai or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the very good old town areas in both Chiang Mai and New Orleans.

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 New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Is Chiang Mai or New Orleans Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

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.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or New Orleans?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Chiang Mai. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Chiang Mai or New Orleans Better for Families?

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

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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Chiang Mai or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Chiang Mai makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Chiang Mai or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Chiang Mai or New Orleans Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Chiang Mai is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Chiang Mai has some public transit options. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Chiang Mai or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Chiang Mai and New Orleans are good when it comes to walkability.

Chiang Mai is somewhat walkable. 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.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or New Orleans?

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

Families should spend more time in Chiang Mai than New Orleans. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Chiang Mai is a cultural city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With food and nightlife around the energetic city of New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

Chiang Mai is a welcoming big city where you can fill many days. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

Chiang Mai is a cultural city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

Chiang Mai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

New Orleans 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or New Orleans?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

New Orleans 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 New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and New Orleans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the summer. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as New Orleans. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In the autumn, Chiang Mai is a little warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chiang Mai in October average around 29°C (83°F), and New Orleans averages at about 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than New Orleans. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 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 New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans 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, many travelers come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 23°C (74°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans 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 visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city.

It's very hot in Chiang Mai this time of the year. Chiang Mai is much warmer than New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In New Orleans, 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 New Orleans. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than New Orleans. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Chiang Mai