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

Should you visit Dubai or Chiang Mai?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Chiang Mai can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a modern, glamorous, and opulent city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a temple-filled, laid-back, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dubai and Chiang Mai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Chiang Mai?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubai. Although Dubai and Chiang Mai are about the same size, Dubai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dubai is better known for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Chiang Mai is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and hiking. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Dubai and is known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Dubai is well known for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. Also, Dubai is famous for Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Chiang Mai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Skiing?

Dubai is adequate for skiing. However, Chiang Mai is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Dubai to take advantage of their winter sports. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Chiang Mai is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Chiang Mai has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dubai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

Is the Food Better in Dubai or Chiang Mai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Chiang Mai has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Dubai makes for a great culinary experience. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

People head to Dubai just to party. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Chiang Mai offers plenty to do in the evening. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Music?

Dubai is a world-class destination for live music. However, Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Dubai is known as a music capital around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Resorts?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Dubai for its luxury resorts. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Chiang Mai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Chiang Mai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a good destination for its beaches. However, Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Dubai offers a nice beach destination. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Dubai does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Chiang Mai. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Dubai does not have a historic old town.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for hiking. However, Dubai is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Chiang Mai specifically for its hiking. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

Dubai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Chiang Mai?

If you're looking to go shopping, Dubai and Chiang Mai both offer plenty of first-rate spots.

Many people travel to Dubai specifically to go shopping. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Chiang Mai is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Chiang Mai.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly place to visit. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is a great city for couples. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Chiang Mai is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Dubai is a nice destination for couples. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Chiang Mai, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai Better for Students?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Dubai is a very popular place to visit for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Dubai and Chiang Mai both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Chiang Mai has a few public transit options. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Is Dubai or Chiang Mai a more walkable city?

Chiang Mai is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable city. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubai Worth Visiting? and Is Chiang Mai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chiang Mai or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Chiang Mai?

Both Dubai and Chiang Mai have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 2-7 days is enough time in Chiang Mai.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Dubai 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 Mai.

One day in Dubai or Chiang Mai?

When visiting Dubai, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Chiang Mai, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this laid-back big city offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Chiang Mai?

When visiting Dubai, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Mai. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Chiang Mai?

Dubai, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Chiang Mai is a fun place to experience. In Chiang Mai, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this big city destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Dubai or Chiang Mai?

Dubai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Chiang Mai, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural big city offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Chiang Mai?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Chiang Mai, 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.

When is the best time to visit Dubai or Chiang Mai?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Chiang Mai in the Summer?

Both Chiang Mai and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Dubai is June to August. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. In the summer, Dubai is a little warmer than Chiang Mai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubai in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 30°C (86°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Chiang Mai in the Autumn?

Both Chiang Mai and Dubai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.

November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Chiang Mai. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Dubai is generally around the same temperature as Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 29°C (84°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Chiang Mai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Chiang Mai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. In January, Dubai usually receives more rain than Chiang Mai. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Dubai is cooler than Chiang Mai in the winter. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Chiang Mai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Chiang Mai. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.

Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Chiang Mai. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Dubai is cooler than Chiang Mai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubai in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 31°C (88°F).

Typical Weather for Chiang Mai and Dubai