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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Seattle?

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 Seattle. 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 cultural, welcoming, and natural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Seattle

Seattle is a progressive, cultural, and outdoorsy city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include theater, nightlife, and live music.

Chiang Mai and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Seattle?

Both Seattle and Chiang Mai have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Chiang Mai is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Seattle is more popular for its theatre productions, music, and beaches. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Seattle and is popular for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Seattle is well known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies.

How is Chiang Mai different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Chiang Mai on the map. 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 Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a good destination for theatre. However, Chiang Mai is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Seattle, take in a show. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Chiang Mai is not a theatre destination.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both Chiang Mai and Seattle.

The nightlife in Chiang Mai has something for everybody. 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.

Seattle offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle Better for Music?

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

Seattle has a thriving music scene. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle Better for Beaches?

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

Seattle offers a nice beach destination. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle does not have a 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.

Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is renowned for the nearby hiking options. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Seattle?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Chiang Mai is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle Better for Families?

Chiang Mai is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Chiang Mai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Chiang Mai is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chiang Mai is a very popular city to visit 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.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Chiang Mai and Seattle 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.

Seattle has a few public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Chiang Mai or Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle 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.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Seattle?

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

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

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 theater and nightlife around the laid-back city of Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 nightlife and live music around the big city destination of Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Seattle?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

Seattle 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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Chiang Mai during the summer 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, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Seattle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Seattle because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Seattle. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Seattle. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the winter, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Seattle. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 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 Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Seattle. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Chiang Mai