Chiang Rai VS Chiang Mai: Where Should You Go?

Planning your trip to Northern Thailand? If you have a limited time, you may be wondering if you should visit Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai (or both?).

In this post, we compare both cities so you can make your decision according to your preferences.

Note that if you have 4 days or more to visit Northern Thailand, you could easily visit both. 

Day trips to Chiang Rai are organized from Chiang Mai on a daily basis. You can read about my own experience here.

Chiang Rai vs Chiang Mai – Activities

Let’s discuss the activities you can do in both Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.

Depending on your interests, you may find this helpful to make a decision.

Chiang Rai Activities

Chiang Rai has a solid reputation overseas since this is the destination to see the most beautiful temples in Thailand.

You may have seen photos of the White Temple over Instagram – and this is why many people even decide to go to Northern Thailand.

If you like temples and museums, then Chiang Rai has a lot to offer.

Chiang Mai Activities

Chiang Mai may have many temples too (especially in the Old City), but there’s a wider range of activities available.

From waterfall chasing to hiking, from temples hopping to bamboo rafting, there’s a lot to see around the city.

Also, many people are heading to Chiang Mai to spend a day with the elephants. Many of the ethical centres to see the elephants are located around Chiang Mai.

The winner is Chiang Mai.

Chiang Rai vs Chiang Mai – Getting There

You can easily fly to Chiang Rai or to Chiang Mai – but there aren’t any flights between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.

That said, you may find yourself having to decide. You can easily book your transport between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai or even organize a day trip if you decide to visit both cities.

You’ll find many options from Bangkok or other popular airports in Thailand. 

Note that you won’t be able to extend your tourist visa in Chiang Rai – so if this is something you need to do at any point during your stay in Thailand, you may want to consider going to Chiang Mai to extend your visa.

Both cities are winning.

Chiang Rai vs Chiang Mai – Cost

Traveling in Northern Thailand is pretty affordable. You’ll find cheap hostels and hotels easily around the city.

You should be expecting to find as many deals in both places. Although, I’ve seen more cheap flights in the direction of Chiang Rai than in direction of Chiang Mai.

Both cities are winning.

Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai – Accommodation

Chiang Rai Accommodation

You’ll find hostels as well as hotels in Chiang Rai. Although, since the city is smaller, you won’t find as many options as in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai Accommodation

In Chiang Mai, you’ll find hostels, hotels, Airbnb as well as condos. Chiang Mai is a huge city so you’ll find plenty of options for your stay.

The winner is Chiang Mai.

Chiang Rai vs Chiang Mai – Nightlife

Northern Thailand is definitely not big regarding partying. If we compare it to Koh Phangan, it’s going to seem pretty quiet.

Although, Chiang Mai has more options than Chiang Rai when it comes to nightlife. Since the city is bigger, you’ll find bars, pubs and salsa/bachata nights.

The winner is Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai – Surroundings & Day Trips

Chiang Rai Surroundings & Day Trips

Chiang Rai is located in the northeast of the country and there’s not so much to explore around this area.

You could visit Laos during your stay or organize a day trip to Chiang Mai from there.

Chiang Mai Surroundings & Day Trips

There’s a lot to explore around Chiang Mai. You could organize a day trip to Chiang Rai, go for a weekend in Pai…

You can explore the surroundings – canyon, waterfalls, mountains, national parks, temples. You could also plan a day with the elephants or go for a road-trip around Samoeng Loop.

The winner is Chiang Mai.

Chiang Rai vs Chiang Mai – Transportation

Both cities have public transportation options, but since Chiang Mai is bigger, you’ll find it easier to get around the city using the red trucks or Grab.

Although, since Chiang Rai is smaller, you could get around faster.

The winner is Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai – Long-Term Living

Chiang Mai is a hub for digital nomads – that said, it’s easy to find an apartment if you’re planning on staying for a while.

You can pick amongst many coworking spaces and get into a healthy routine around here. There are many restaurants, bars and gyms which makes life easy.

The winner is Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai – Final Thoughts

Yes – you read that right. Overall – Chiang Mai has more to offer than Chiang Rai. BUT… if you love temples, I’d recommend you head to Chiang Rai since you’ll find the most beautiful temples in Thailand.

This is the best reason why you should pick Chiang Rai over Chiang Mai.

Although you can visit Chiang Rai on a day trip from Chiang Mai, you could always visit it from there.