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

Should you visit Chiang Rai or Rotorua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Rotorua, 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a cultural, natural, and world-renowned town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chiang Rai and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Rai or Rotorua?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chiang Rai than Rotorua, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Chiang Rai is more popular for its museums & sights, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Rotorua is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Rotorua is more touristy than Chiang Rai and is known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. Chiang Rai is popular for its intricate temples, unique cuisine, and being the gateway to the Golden Triangle. It is also home to Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple).

How is Chiang Rai different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chiang Rai is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Chiang Rai has many famous sights for visitors. 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Chiang Rai is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rotorua makes for a great culinary experience. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Chiang Rai or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Both Chiang Rai and Rotorua have good vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Chiang Rai. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Chiang Rai or Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Rai or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

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 Rotorua?

Chiang Rai is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Chiang Rai. 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Chiang Rai or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Chiang Rai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Chiang Rai is known to be 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.

Is Chiang Rai or Rotorua Better for Couples?

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

Rotorua has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an amazing town 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, Rotorua is extremely popular for backpackers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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 Rotorua Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotorua 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.

Rotorua has some public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

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 Rotorua a more walkable city?

Chiang Rai is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Chiang Rai?

How long in Chiang Rai or Rotorua?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.

One day in Chiang Rai or Rotorua?

In Chiang Rai, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With museums and nightlife around the world-renowned town of Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

In Chiang Rai, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Rai has to offer.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Rotorua, 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 town.

Five days in Chiang Rai or Rotorua?

Chiang Rai is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Rotorua, a popular town, 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 Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Rai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chiang Rai. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua 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 Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Rotorua?

Chiang Rai has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Rotorua, 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.