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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Wellington?

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 Wellington. 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 hiking, shopping, and museums.

Wellington

Wellington is a funky, compact, and laid-back city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Chiang Mai and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Wellington?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chiang Mai than Wellington. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wellington attracts visitors for its beaches. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Wellington 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. Wellington is famous for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Chiang Mai different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Chiang Mai is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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 Wellington is an experience not to be missed. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Chiang Mai or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Wellington offers plenty to do in the evening. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Chiang Mai or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a great city for its beaches. However, Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wellington for it's beautiful beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Wellington Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for its old town. However, Wellington does not have a historic old town.

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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

People visit Chiang Mai specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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 people include a hike when visiting Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Wellington?

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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 Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Chiang Mai or Wellington Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Wellington are superb 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.

Wellington is a very kid-friendly city. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Chiang Mai or Wellington Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

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

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Wellington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Chiang Mai or Wellington Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Wellington 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 Wellington is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington 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.

Wellington is very walkable. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Wellington?

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

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

When visiting Chiang Mai, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the funky city of Wellington, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Wellington?

When visiting Chiang Mai, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Wellington, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Wellington?

Chiang Mai, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Wellington?

Chiang Mai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wellington 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Wellington?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 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 Wellingtonin January. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 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 Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Wellington. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

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 Wellingtonin April. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 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 Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington 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, most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches.

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

It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin October. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Chiang Mai