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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta?

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 Yogyakarta. 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 Chiang Mai is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Chiang Mai travel costs.

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a youthful, cultural, and historical city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Yogyakarta travel costs.

Chiang Mai and Yogyakarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chiang Mai than Yogyakarta. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Yogyakarta 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. Yogyakarta is famous for its beautiful temples, divine food, and lively dance shows.

How is Chiang Mai different from Yogyakarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the amazing sights and museums in either Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta.

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.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Yogyakarta are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is known for it's cultural sights and temples. Kraton Yogyakarta is the palace where the Sultan lives. You should also visit Taman Sari Water Castle and Prambanan Temple. But for many visitors, Yogyakarta is seen as the gateway to the famed Borobudur Temple. This is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It offers spectacular views and is best visited at sunrise.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta is an experience not to be missed. It's filled with street food stalls and cheap eateries where you can fill up on local Indonesian classics for a cheap price. Gudeg (stewed jackfruit), Satay, and Bakmi Jawa (Javanese noodles) are just some of the dishes that you must try.

Is Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Yogyakarta offers plenty to do in the evening. With a large student population, you'll find many bars and live music venues around town. You'll also find night markets and plenty of theaters and live shows that you can enjoy.

Is Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the superb old town areas in both Chiang Mai and Yogyakarta.

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 Yogyakarta. Kota Gede is the city's old town. It's filled with silver shops, religious sites, and traditional architecture. You'll also find a traditional market in the heart of the old town where you can buy coconut, dry fish, and tofu, or simply browse the unique items.

Is Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Yogyakarta is not a hiking destination.

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.

Yogyakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta?

If you're looking to go shopping, Chiang Mai and Yogyakarta both offer plenty of amazing spots.

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.

The abundance of shops in Yogyakarta make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is filled with craftsmen and a local art scene that makes it a wonderful shopping destination. There are countless markets and shops where you can pick up local handicrafts that highlight the city's culture.

Is Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta More Beautiful?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Yogyakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Chiang Mai is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It is famous for it's beautiful surrounding countryside where visitors often enjoy trekking and getting out in nature. The city is also filled with historic temples, night markets, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Yogyakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta Better for Families?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Yogyakarta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Chiang Mai is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Yogyakarta. It's often overlooked by families, but the temples, culture, art scene, and friendly people all make this a surprisingly fun destination for those traveling with kids. You'll also find a number of adventure activities in the area as well.

Is Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Yogyakarta 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.

Yogyakarta is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with fun activities for couples such as a visit to Taman Pelangi at night, taking a walk along Jalan Malioboro, and taking in a traditional dance performance.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Yogyakarta 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.

Yogyakarta is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers who want to experience Indonesia's culture and friendly population will love a visit to this lively city. There are plenty of hostels and other travelers to meet, but there's also a uniquely Indonesian vibe to the city.

Is Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Yogyakarta. There's a large number of students in the city, which makes this a fun place to study abroad.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Chiang Mai is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Yogyakarta is lacking in good 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 Yogyakarta. There's a public bus system known as Trans Jogja, which is used by both tourists and locals. You can also hire motorbikes, becak, or Ojek.

Is Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta a more walkable city?

Chiang Mai and Yogyakarta are nice 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.

Yogyakarta is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the main sights are accessible on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Yogyakarta or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta?

It's fun to spend time in either Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Yogyakarta.

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

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 cultural city of Yogyakarta, 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 Yogyakarta?

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 Yogyakarta, 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 Yogyakarta?

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.

Yogyakarta, 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 Yogyakarta?

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.

Yogyakarta 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 Indonesia, and The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia.

When comparing the travel costs between Chiang Mai and Yogyakarta, we can see that Yogyakarta is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Yogyakarta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Yogyakarta. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Yogyakarta, 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.