A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Chiang Mai for Food, Backpackers, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Chiang Mai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a active, young, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and food. See Kaunas travel costs.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a cultural, welcoming, and natural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, Chiang Mai attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Chiang Mai travel costs.

Kaunas and Chiang Mai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

You'll generally find more things to do in Chiang Mai than Kaunas. Chiang Mai is bigger than Kaunas, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Also, Chiang Mai is famous for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from Chiang Mai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Chiang Mai on the map. 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.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Chiang Mai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Chiang Mai Better for Nightlife?

Chiang Mai is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Chiang Mai has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Kaunas or Chiang Mai Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Is Kaunas or Chiang Mai Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Chiang Mai is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Chiang Mai is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Chiang Mai More Beautiful?

Chiang Mai is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Kaunas is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Chiang Mai attracts visitors from all around. It is famous for it's beautiful surrounding countryside where visitors often enjoy trekking and getting out in nature. The city is also filled with historic temples, night markets, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Kaunas is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kaunas or Chiang Mai Better for Families?

Chiang Mai is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Chiang Mai is known to be 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.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Chiang Mai Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Chiang Mai is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

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

Chiang Mai is renowned for backpackers. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chiang Mai is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Is Kaunas or Chiang Mai Better for Students?

Kaunas is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Both Kaunas and Chiang Mai offer notable public transit options.

Kaunas has a few public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

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

Is Kaunas or Chiang Mai a more walkable city?

Kaunas and Chiang Mai both are notable when exploring on foot.

Kaunas is a somewhat walkable city. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

Chiang Mai is somewhat walkable. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Chiang Mai or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

Both Kaunas and Chiang Mai have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai than in Kaunas. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 2-7 days is enough time in Chiang Mai.

Families should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Kaunas. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chiang Mai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Kaunas. 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

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

Chiang Mai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Kaunas, 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 city.

Chiang Mai 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.

Five days in Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

Kaunas, a popular 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Mai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

Kaunas 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.

Chiang Mai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, 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 Kaunas and Chiang Mai, we can see that Kaunas is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kaunas is in Europe 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 Kaunas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaunas 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 Kaunas Expensive? and Is Chiang Mai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Chiang Mai?

Kaunas has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Chiang Mai in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Chiang Mai. The summer months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.

In the summer, Kaunas is much colder than Chiang Mai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 30°C (86°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kaunas this time of the year. In the summer, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Chiang Mai. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 146 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. Kaunas usually gets less rain in July than Chiang Mai. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Kaunas or Chiang Mai in the Autumn?

Both Chiang Mai and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Kaunas is generally much colder than Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Chiang Mai during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 226 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Kaunas or Chiang Mai in the Winter?

Both Chiang Mai and Kaunas during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. Kaunas is much colder than Chiang Mai in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Chiang Mai. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 283 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets more rain in January than Chiang Mai. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Kaunas or Chiang Mai in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Chiang Mai. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the spring for the activities around the city. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Kaunas is much colder than Chiang Mai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 31°C (88°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Chiang Mai during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Chiang Mai and Kaunas