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

Should you visit Chiang Rai or Auckland?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Auckland, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a charming, cultural, and beautiful city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Auckland

Auckland is a adrenaline-filled, thrill-seeking, and cosmopolitan city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Chiang Rai and Auckland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Rai or Auckland?

You'll generally find more things to do in Auckland than Chiang Rai. Auckland is bigger than Chiang Rai, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Auckland is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Chiang Rai is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Auckland is more touristy than Chiang Rai and is known for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. Also, Auckland is famous for the Sky Tower. Chiang Rai is well known for its intricate temples, unique cuisine, and being the gateway to the Golden Triangle.

How is Chiang Rai different from Auckland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auckland and Chiang Rai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Rai or Auckland?

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

The museums and tourist attractions in Chiang Rai are world-renowned. The Old City is filled with breathtaking temples and cultural sites. Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) is an iconic sight, but you should also visit the Black House, and Wat Rong Seua Ten (the Blue Temple). Wat Tham Pla is the Monkey Temple and has a dramatic effect with its steep staircase. It's a short drive from Chiang Rai, but worth the trip as it's overrun with monkeys.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Auckland can be an interesting and educational experience. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Is the Food Better in Chiang Rai or Auckland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Chiang Rai has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The regional cuisine is famous for its unique dishes and flavors. It's slightly less spicy than the southern Thai cuisine and the dishes are rich in flavor. Northern Thai sausage is a must-try dish, as is Khao Soi Curry, and Khao Soi Gai Nong (coconut curry and chicken soup).

Dining out in Auckland is an experience not to be missed. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Is Chiang Rai or Auckland Better for Nightlife?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Chiang Rai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Auckland has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

Chiang Rai has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The small city has a laid back nightlife scene with a number of bars and cafes along Jetyod Road. You'll find a mix of expats and locals, without the usual backpacker crowds that are common in some cities.

Is Chiang Rai or Auckland Better for Beaches?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for the beache. However, Chiang Rai is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Auckland. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Chiang Rai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Rai or Auckland Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Rai is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Auckland does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Chiang Rai. The Old City is filled with intricate temples and impressive beauty. The area is very walkable and you can easily visit the famed Wat Ming Muang, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Phra Singh.

Auckland does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Rai or Auckland Better for Hiking?

Chiang Rai and Auckland are both places where visitors can find notable hiking trails.

Chiang Rai has hiking trails worth exploring. Head out of town to Khun Korn Forest Park Waterfall if you want to enjoy some hiking. It makes an easy half day trip.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Auckland. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Rai or Auckland?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Chiang Rai and Auckland.

Chiang Rai is well-known for its shopping. Local markets, night markets, and souvenir shops with handcrafted goods all make shopping a fun experience. Head to the Night Bazaar or the Walking Street for some of the best experiences.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Auckland. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Is Chiang Rai or Auckland Better for Families?

Chiang Rai and Auckland are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Chiang Rai is very family-friendly. There are parks and outdoor spaces to explore such as Singha Park and the Garden of Reeds. For a little bit of silly fun, check out Nava Land Water Park and if you want to get out of town a bit, you'll find some great hiking nearby at Khun Korn Forest Park Waterfall.

Auckland is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

Is Chiang Rai or Auckland Better for Couples?

Chiang Rai and Auckland are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Chiang Rai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautiful temples, impressive gardens, and an authentic Thai experience all make this a romantic and fun destination for couples.

Couples visit Auckland frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

Is Chiang Rai or Auckland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Rai and Auckland are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Chiang Rai. There is no shortage of affordable hostels around town. There are also enough backpackers around to keep things fun but not so many that the local vibe is lost.

Auckland is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

Is Chiang Rai or Auckland Better for Students?

Auckland is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Rai is not popular with students.

Auckland is a great city to visit as a student. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Chiang Rai is not popular with students.

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

Auckland is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Chiang Rai is lacking in options for its public transit.

Auckland has some public transit options. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

Public transit is generally limited in Chiang Rai. Tuk tuks and taxis are your best bet for getting around town in a vehicle.

Is Chiang Rai or Auckland a more walkable city?

Chiang Rai is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Chiang Rai is a very walkable city. The old city is easy to explore on foot.

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Chiang Rai Worth Visiting? and Is Auckland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auckland or Chiang Rai?

How long in Chiang Rai or Auckland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chiang Rai and Auckland. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Rai than in Auckland. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Rai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Auckland.

Families should spend more time in Chiang Rai than Auckland. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chiang Rai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chiang Rai than Auckland. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chiang Rai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Chiang Rai or Auckland?

The city of Chiang Rai offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

When visiting Auckland, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Rai or Auckland?

Chiang Rai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chiang Rai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

When visiting Auckland, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Rai or Auckland?

Chiang Rai is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Auckland, 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 Rai or Auckland?

Chiang Rai is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Auckland 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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Rai is in Asia and Auckland 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 Rai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Rai 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland than you might in Chiang Rai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Rai Expensive? and Is Auckland Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Auckland?

Auckland has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Auckland, 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.