Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Many travelers compare Bangkok and Chiang Mai because they represent two faces of Thailand: the cosmopolitan capital with skyscrapers and the mountainous North with ancient temples and forests.In a single itinerary you can fit street food, history and nature.The differences are clear: Bangkok has BTS/MRT, the Grand Palace and endless shopping; Chiang Mai offers Doi Suthep, markets like Warorot and quick access to Doi Inthanon.Average daily costs are lower in Chiang Mai by about €15–25, while transfers between the two cities take 1h15 by plane or 11–13h by night train.In this guide you’ll find a comparison with prices in euros, distances in km and durations in minutes/hours: attractions with ticket prices, food with real restaurants, climate by month, transport details and shopping.It ends with a verdict for different travel profiles, a combined itinerary and practical FAQs.
Bangkok vs Chiang Mai
| Feature | Bangkok | Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Bangkok, budget €35–55: central hostel (Sukhumvit/Silom) €10–20, street food meals (pad thai, boat noodles) €1–3, BTS/MRT €0.45–1.6 per ride, local beer €2–3. Mid-range €85–130: 3–4 star hotels (Sathorn/Siam) €45–120, restaurants such as Thipsamai or Som Tam Nua €6–12, taxi/grab downtown €4–8. Luxury €180–300: 5-star (Mandarin Oriental, The Peninsula) €220–350, rooftop bar (Sky Bar Lebua) cocktails €12–18, private airport transfer €25–35. | In Chiang Mai, budget €25–40: guesthouse in the Old City (Moon Muang) €8–18, khao soi at Khao Soi Mae Sai €2–3, urban songthaew €0.8–1.3. Mid-range €65–100: 3-star hotels (One De Nimman, Decharme) €30–60, restaurants Dash! Restaurant or Ginger & Kafe €6–11, scooter €5–8/day.Luxury €140–220: resorts (137 Pillars House, Na Nirand) €160–280, fine-dining dinner at David's Kitchen €25–45, ethical tour Elephant Nature Park €70–95.✓ Better |
| Top attractions | The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew costs €13 (500 THB) and requires 2–3 hours.Wat Pho €5.2 (200 THB) can be visited in 60–90 minutes; Wat Arun €2.6 (100 THB) in 45–60 minutes via ferry from Tha Tien.The King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk €29 (1.100 THB) takes 60–90 minutes.The Jim Thompson House €5.2 (200 THB) takes 45–60 minutes.Distances: Grand Palace–Wat Pho 0,6 km; Wat Pho–Wat Arun 1 km via the Chao Phraya river.✓ Better | In Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep costs €0.8 (30 THB) and requires 90–120 minutes + transfer 30–45 minutes from the Old City (15 km).Wat Chedi Luang €1.3 (50 THB) in 45–60 minutes; Wat Phra Singh €0.5 (20 THB) in 30–45 minutes.The Chiang Mai Night Safari costs €21 (800 THB) for 2–3 hours.The Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden €2.6 (100 THB), 23 km from the center (45 minutes).The Sunday Walking Street is free and takes 2–3 hours. |
| Food and restaurants | Street food in Bangkok: pad thai at Thipsamai €2.8–5.5, som tam at Som Tam Jay So €1.6–3.2, boat noodles at Victory Monument €1–2. Markets: Chatuchak and Or Tor Kor premium fruit €1–3 each.Fine dining: Sorn (reservation), menu €120–170. Rooftop dining at Vertigo Banyan Tree €25–45. Specialty coffee in Thonglor €2.5–4. Craft beer at Mikkeller Bangkok €6–9.✓ Better | In Chiang Mai, the iconic dish khao soi: at Khao Soi Khun Yai €2–3. Markets: Warorot (dried fruit €1–3, sai ua sausage €2–4), Chang Phuak Gate (crispy pork by Khao Kha Moo Cowboy €1.6–2.6).Restaurants: Dash! Restaurant €6–12, Ginger & Kafe €8–15. Cafés in Nimman like Ristr8to €2.2–3.8. Local beer in pubs Warm Up Cafe €2.6–4.2. |
| Climate and best time | Bangkok has a tropical climate: Nov–Feb 24–32°C, low rainfall; Mar–May 33–36°C, high humidity; Jun–Oct monsoons with heavy rain (80–220 mm/month).Less temperature variation than the North.Best months: Dec–Feb for visiting temples and rooftops.Avoid midday in April (real feel 40–42°C).PM2.5 generally lower than Chiang Mai during Feb–Mar. | Chiang Mai is cooler: Nov–Jan 15–28°C (nights 12–18°C), Mar–Apr 34–36°C; rains May–Oct.Burning season issue: Feb–Apr with PM2.5 often 120–200 µg/m³, reduced visibility toward Doi Suthep.Recommended months: November (Loy Krathong/Yi Peng) and Dec–Jan.For trekking (Doi Inthanon) prefer Nov–Feb for temperatures 10–20°C at altitude.✓ Better |
| Transport and how to get there | Airports Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK).Airport Rail Link BKK–Phaya Thai 30 minutes, €1.2 (45 THB).Taxi BKK–Sukhumvit 45–60 minutes, €8–11 + tolls €2. Metro BTS/MRT: rides €0.45–1.6, BTS day pass €3.7. Grab in the center €4–10. Frequent domestic connections, and trains from Hua Lamphong or Krung Thep Aphiwat to the North.✓ Better | Airport Chiang Mai (CNX) 4 km from the Old City: taxi/grab €4–5.3, 10–15 minutes; songthaew €0.8–1.3. In the city: red songthaews 20–40 THB (€0.5–1.1), short tuk-tuk €2–5. Scooter rental €5–8/day.From Bangkok: flights 1h15, €35–80; night train 11–13h, 2nd-class berth €22–26, 1st €43–53; bus 9–10h, €18–28. |
| Nightlife | Bangkok: bars on Khao San Road until 02:00, cocktails €4–7; clubs in RCA (Route 66, Onyx) entry €6–12 with a drink; Thonglor/Ekkamai for lounges and craft cocktails €8–12. Rooftops (Sky Bar Lebua, Above Eleven) cocktails €12–18, views of the Chao Phraya.Jazz at Saxophone Pub €5–8. Last orders often 01:30–02:00.✓ Better | Chiang Mai: the scene is centered in Nimmanhaemin and the Old City.Warm Up Cafe live/dance, beer €2.6–4.2; North Gate Jazz Co-Op jam at 21:00, drinks €2.6–5. Zoe in Yellow club zone, closing 00:00–01:00.Rooftops like Myst Maya cocktails €4–7. More relaxed vibe, get around on foot or a short songthaew €1–2. |
| For families with children | In Bangkok: SEA LIFE Bangkok (Siam Paragon) €26, 2–3 hours; Safari World €24–27, 4–5 hours; Madame Tussauds €18–22. Parks: Lumpini Park with a lake (pedal boats €2–4).Getting around on the BTS with a stroller is easy; taxis with child seat on request (GrabFamily).Distances: Siam Paragon–Lumpini 2,5 km, 10 minutes on the MRT.✓ Better | In Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai Zoo €3.9, 2–3 hours; Art in Paradise 3D museum €10.4, 90 minutes; Elephant Nature Park day trip €70–95, 8 hours, ethical and suitable for >8 years.Waterfalls Sticky Waterfall (Bua Thong) at 60 km (1h30), free entry.The Old City is compact (2x2 km), convenient with strollers.Avoid long treks with kids in Jul–Sep due to rains. |
| Beaches and nature | Bangkok has no urban beaches, but Bang Saen is 100 km away (1h30) and Pattaya is 150 km (2h).Hua Hin is 230 km (3–3h30).Urban nature: parks Lumpini and Benjakitti, Sky Lane cycling track 23,5 km near BKK.Trips to Khao Yai National Park (170 km, 3h).Faster access to the sea than the North. | Chiang Mai excels in mountain nature: Doi Suthep–Pui at 15 km (30–45 minutes) with views of the city; Doi Inthanon at 100 km (2h), entry €7.8, trails 1–3 hours.Mae Sa waterfalls 25 km (40 minutes).Sticky Waterfall at 60 km.No beaches, but climate better suited to trekking Nov–Feb.Ethical elephant tours in Mae Taeng €70–95. |
| Shopping | In Bangkok: malls Siam Paragon, ICONSIAM, MBK Center; markets Chatuchak and Pratunam.T-shirts €3–5, Thai silk €20–60, tailored suits (Rajawongse Tailor) €120–220. Electronics at Pantip Plaza.Hours: 10:00–22:00; Chatuchak weekends 09:00–18:00.Tax-free possible with purchases > €185 (8.000 THB), VAT Refund offices in BKK.✓ Better | In Chiang Mai: Night Bazaar, Warorot Market, One Nimman, Maya Mall.Handicrafts: umbrellas from Bo Sang €6–15, ceramics €8–25, tribal textiles €8–25. Silver jewelry in the Wualai neighborhood.Hours: Night Bazaar 17:00–23:00.Average prices lower than Bangkok by 15–25% for handcrafted products. |
| Safety and practical tips | Bangkok is generally safe.Avoid the “temple closed” scam and gem scams.Use metered taxis or Grab; downtown rides €4–10. Crowded areas: Pratunam, Chatuchak—watch out for pickpockets.Emergencies: 1155 Tourist Police, 191 Police, 1669 ambulance.Typical ATM fee €5–6 (220 THB).Water: buy bottles €0.3–0.6. | Chiang Mai is calm; beware of the burning season (Feb–Apr) due to high smog: bring N95 masks.Rent a scooter with a helmet, deposits €45–90. Songthaew: agree on the price (€1–3 within the city).Avoid dark roads outside the Old City at night.Emergencies: 1155 Tourist Police, 191 Police, hospitals Chiang Mai Ram and Bangkok Hospital.Bottled water €0.3–0.6. |
| How many days you need | Bangkok: minimum 3 days for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, cruise on the Chao Phraya and shopping.Ideal 4–6 days: add the Jim Thompson House, Mahanakhon, markets Chatuchak/Or Tor Kor, day trip to Ayutthaya (80 km, 1h20).Pace: 2 attractions in the morning, break 13:00–16:00, rooftop at sunset 18:00–20:00. | Chiang Mai: minimum 2–3 days for the Old City (Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh), Doi Suthep and the Night Bazaar.Ideal 3–5 days: add Doi Inthanon (100 km, 2h), Queen Sirikit Garden, Sticky Waterfall and one day at Elephant Nature Park (€70–95).Pace: mornings at the temples, afternoons at cafés in Nimman. |
| How to combine both cities | Fly from BKK/DMK to CNX in 1h15 with Thai VietJet, AirAsia or Thai Airways, prices €35–80. Alternative: night train from Krung Thep Aphiwat (ex Bang Sue) 11–13h, berth €22–53. Start in Bangkok (4–5 days), then head North (Chiang Mai 3–4 days).Getting around in the cities via BTS/MRT and songthaews. | From Chiang Mai return to Bangkok on an evening flight 1h15 €35–80 to optimize the last day.If you choose the train, book the lower berth (wider) €22–53 and depart at 18:00–20:00 to arrive 07:00–09:00.VIP bus 9–10h €18–28 via Arcade Bus Terminal.Recommended order: Bangkok → Chiang Mai to unwind with nature. |
The Verdict
Choose Bangkok
Choose Bangkok if you love grand temples, shopping and nightlife.Ideal period: Dec–Feb with 24–32°C.Mid-range budget €85–130/day: 3–4 star hotels in Sukhumvit/Siam €60–120, meals €6–12, transport €4–8. Fast 4-day itinerary: Day 1 Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun; Day 2 Jim Thompson House, Siam malls, SEA LIFE; Day 3 markets Chatuchak/Or Tor Kor, rooftop Mahanakhon; Day 4 trip to Ayutthaya (80 km, 1h20).Get around with BTS/MRT and Grab taxis.
Choose Chiang Mai
Choose Chiang Mai if you’re after nature, historic temples and relaxed rhythms with a smaller budget.Best period: Nov–Jan 15–28°C, avoid Feb–Apr due to smog.Mid-range budget €65–100/day: 3-star hotels in the Old City/Nimman €30–60, meals €5–10, scooter €5–8. 3–4 day itinerary: Day 1 Old City (Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh); Day 2 Doi Suthep + Huay Kaew; Day 3 Doi Inthanon (100 km, 2h); Day 4 Sticky Waterfall and Warorot Market.Get around by songthaew or scooter.