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

Should you visit Chiang Rai or Bali?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Bali, 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 friendly, charming, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali

Bali is a cultural, stunning, and tropical island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Chiang Rai and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Rai or Bali?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bali than Chiang Rai. Bali is bigger than Chiang Rai, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bali is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Chiang Rai is more popular for its museums & sights and historical sights. Bali is more touristy than Chiang Rai and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. 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 Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Rai is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Chiang Rai are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Chiang Rai and Bali can be difficult as they are each terrific in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chiang Rai is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

Many restaurants in Bali have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Is Chiang Rai or Bali Better for Nightlife?

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

Bali has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

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 Bali Better for Resorts?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Chiang Rai is not a resort destination.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Chiang Rai is not a resort destination.

Is Chiang Rai or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Chiang Rai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Chiang Rai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chiang Rai or Bali Better for Beaches?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for the beache. However, Chiang Rai is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Chiang Rai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Rai or Bali Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Rai is a well-known place for its old town. However, Bali 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.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Rai or Bali Better for Hiking?

Bali is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Chiang Rai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Chiang Rai. Head out of town to Khun Korn Forest Park Waterfall if you want to enjoy some hiking. It makes an easy half day trip.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Rai or Bali?

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

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 Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Is Chiang Rai or Bali Better for Families?

Chiang Rai and Bali 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.

Bali is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Is Chiang Rai or Bali Better for Couples?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Chiang Rai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Couples visit Chiang Rai frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful temples, impressive gardens, and an authentic Thai experience all make this a romantic and fun destination for couples.

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

Bali is an amazing island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chiang Rai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Bali is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Chiang Rai is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

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

Bali 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.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

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 Bali a more walkable city?

Chiang Rai is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

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

Bali is generally not a very walkable city. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bali or Chiang Rai?

How long in Chiang Rai or Bali?

Chiang Rai and Bali both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bali than Chiang Rai because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Rai, and 7-14 days is enough time in Bali.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Chiang Rai 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 Bali.

One day in Chiang Rai or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Chiang Rai. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and nightlife around the tropical island of Bali, 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 Rai or Bali?

Chiang Rai is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bali, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Chiang Rai or Bali?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Chiang Rai. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bali, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Rai or Bali?

The cultural city of Chiang Rai offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Bali is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. 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 Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Bali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali 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 Bali Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Bali?

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