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

Should you visit Chiang Rai or Nagano?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Nagano, 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 beautiful, friendly, and charming city. Chiang Rai is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Chiang Rai travel costs.

Nagano

Nagano is a scenic, historic, and traditional city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of Nagano is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Nagano travel costs.

Chiang Rai and Nagano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Rai or Nagano?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nagano than Chiang Rai. Nagano is bigger than Chiang Rai, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nagano is better known for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Chiang Rai is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping. Nagano is more touristy than Chiang Rai and is known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Also, Nagano is famous for Zenko-ji Temple. 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 Nagano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Chiang Rai or Nagano Better for Skiing?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Chiang Rai is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Nagano. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Chiang Rai is not a skiing destination.

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

Chiang Rai is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

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

Chiang Rai is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Chiang Rai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Nagano is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Is Chiang Rai or Nagano Better for Nightlife?

Nagano 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.

Nagano has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

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 Nagano Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Chiang Rai is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nagano makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Chiang Rai is not a resort destination.

Is Chiang Rai or Nagano Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Rai is a great city for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Chiang Rai is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Is Chiang Rai or Nagano Better for Hiking?

Nagano 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 Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

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 Nagano?

Chiang Rai is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Chiang Rai or Nagano More Beautiful?

Nagano is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Chiang Rai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Nagano is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The city is found in a beautiful part of Japan. It's surrounded by mountains and filled with history and historic sights.

Chiang Rai offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Surrounded by the mountains and filled with temples and impressive parks, this city is a beautiful place.

Is Chiang Rai or Nagano Better for Families?

Chiang Rai and Nagano are both high quality 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.

Nagano is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Is Chiang Rai or Nagano Better for Couples?

Chiang Rai is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Chiang Rai is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Beautiful temples, impressive gardens, and an authentic Thai experience all make this a romantic and fun destination for couples.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

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

Chiang Rai is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Chiang Rai or Nagano Better for Students?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Rai is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Nagano. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Chiang Rai is not popular with students.

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

Nagano 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.

Nagano has some public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

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 Nagano a more walkable city?

Chiang Rai is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Nagano or Chiang Rai?

How long in Chiang Rai or Nagano?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chiang Rai and Nagano. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Rai than in Nagano. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Rai, and 1-3 days is enough time in Nagano.

Families should spend more time in Chiang Rai than Nagano. 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 Nagano. 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 Nagano 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 Nagano?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Chiang Rai. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With nightlife and food around the alpine city of Nagano, 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nagano, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Chiang Rai or Nagano?

Chiang Rai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With food and shopping around the destination of Nagano, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Rai or Nagano?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Rai. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nagano, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Nagano?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Chiang Rai. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Nagano 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Nagano?

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