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

Should you visit Chiang Rai or Kamakura?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Kamakura, 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. Chiang Rai is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Chiang Rai travel costs.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a quaint, charming, and laid back coastal city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Kamakura travel costs.

Chiang Rai and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Rai or Kamakura?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kamakura than Chiang Rai. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kamakura is very popular for its nightlife and beaches, while Chiang Rai attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Kamakura is more touristy than Chiang Rai and is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha. Chiang Rai is famous for its intricate temples, unique cuisine, and being the gateway to the Golden Triangle.

How is Chiang Rai different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Rai is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Chiang Rai that are not to be missed. 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.

Many visitors head to Kamakura specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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

Chiang Rai is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Chiang Rai is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Kamakura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Is Chiang Rai or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura 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.

Kamakura has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

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 Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Chiang Rai is not a beach destination.

Kamakura has a beach worth visiting. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Chiang Rai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Rai or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Rai is a well-known place for its historic old town. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kamakura. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Is Chiang Rai or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Chiang Rai and Kamakura are both places where visitors can find nice 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 Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Rai or Kamakura?

Chiang Rai is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Chiang Rai is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Chiang Rai or Kamakura More Beautiful?

Chiang Rai is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Chiang Rai is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the mountains and filled with temples and impressive parks, this city is a beautiful place.

Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chiang Rai or Kamakura Better for Families?

Chiang Rai is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Chiang Rai is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Kamakura is a family-friendly city. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Chiang Rai or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Chiang Rai and Kamakura are both very good 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 Kamakura frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

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

Chiang Rai is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

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

Kamakura 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.

Kamakura has some public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

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 Kamakura a more walkable city?

Chiang Rai is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Chiang Rai?

How long in Chiang Rai or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chiang Rai or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chiang Rai than Kamakura 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 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

Families should spend more time in Chiang Rai than Kamakura. 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 Kamakura. 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.

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

One day in Chiang Rai or Kamakura?

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.

With museums and nightlife around the ancient coastal city of Kamakura, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kamakura, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Chiang Rai or Kamakura?

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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Kamakura, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city.

Five days in Chiang Rai or Kamakura?

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.

Kamakura, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Kamakura?

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.

Kamakura 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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Kamakura?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Kamakura, 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.