Chiang Mai
Krabi
Many travelers compare Chiang Mai and Krabi because they represent two different Thailands: in the north the Lanna culture, temples like Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (30 THB ≈ €0.80) and mountain trekking; in the south the limestone cliffs of Railay, islands like Phi Phi and beaches such as Ao Nang.
In this guide you’ll find costs in €, times in hours and distances in km.Main differences: Chiang Mai is more affordable (daily budget €35-55), rich in night markets and cooking classes; Krabi has beaches and snorkeling but higher prices (budget €45-65).
The climate varies: Chiang Mai is ideal between November and January (15-28°C), Krabi between December and March (24-33°C) for calm seas.You’ll find: 3-6 day itineraries, attractions with prices and visit times, tips for families, nightlife, shopping, how to get from CNX and KBV airports, and how to combine the two cities with a flight via Bangkok (total 3h30-5h, €60-120).
Chiang Mai vs Krabi
| Feature | Chiang Mai | Krabi |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | Chiang Mai is cheaper: 3-star hotels in the Old City near Tha Phae Gate cost €30-50/night; 4-star such as U Nimman €90-140.Street food at Chang Phuak Gate: dishes 40-70 THB (€1.10-2.00); Lanna restaurants €4-8.Scooter €5-8/day; songthaew in town 30-60 THB (€0.80-1.60).Taxi/Grab from the airport €5-6.Daily budget: backpacker €35-55, mid-range €70-95, luxury €140-220, including 2 meals, transport and 1 paid attraction.✓ Better | In Krabi (base Ao Nang) 3-star hotels are €45-70/night; 4-star such as Aonang Fiore €80-130; luxury Rayavadee €350-600.Meals: Thai 120-180 THB (€3.20-4.80), seafood 300-500 THB (€8-13).Longtail to Railay 100 THB (€2.60) per way; taxi KBV–Ao Nang €13-16; scooter €7-10/day.Daily budget: backpacker €45-65, mid-range €85-120, luxury €200-350 with 1 boat trip every 2 days. |
| Top attractions | Top in Chiang Mai: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (30 THB ≈ €0.80, 1.5-2h) with city views; Wat Chedi Luang (50 THB ≈ €1.30, 1h); Elephant Nature Park (full day 2,500-3,000 THB ≈ €65-78, 8h) ethical; Doi Inthanon National Park (300 THB ≈ €8, 8-10h) 70 km away, waterfalls and the highest peak.Add the Sunday Night Market (free, 2-3h) on Ratchadamnoen Road. | Top in Krabi: Railay and Phra Nang Beach via longtail from Ao Nang (100 THB ≈ €2.60 per way, 15 min; 4-6h on the beach).Tiger Cave Temple (free, 1,237 steps, 2-3h) with 360° views.Emerald Pool (Thung Teao, 200 THB ≈ €5.30, 2-3h) 60 km away.Hong Islands tour (boat 800-1,200 THB ≈ €21-32, 6-7h) + park fee 300 THB ≈ €8. |
| Food and restaurants | In Chiang Mai try Khao Soi Khun Yai (khao soi 40-60 THB ≈ €1.10-1.60), Sai Ua sausage at Warorot Market (50-80 THB ≈ €1.30-2.10), roast chicken at SP Chicken (80-120 THB ≈ €2.10-3.20).Lanna dinner at Huen Phen (120-180 THB ≈ €3.20-4.80).Specialty coffee at Ristr8to in Nimman (70-120 THB ≈ €1.80-3.20).Street food at Chang Phuak Gate (dishes 50-70 THB ≈ €1.30-2.00).✓ Better | In Krabi eat seafood at Krua Thara (dishes 300-600 THB ≈ €8-16) or with views at Lae Lay Grill (250-450 THB ≈ €6.60-12).Authentic Thai at Ton Ma Yom (120-200 THB ≈ €3.20-5.30).At Krabi Walking Street (Fri-Sun, 17:00-22:00) dishes 50-100 THB ≈ €1.30-2.60. Southern roti and curries in Ao Nang (80-150 THB ≈ €2.10-4.00). |
| Weather and best time | In Chiang Mai cool, dry season November–February: 15-28°C, reduced rain; ideal for temples and trekking.From March to May 24-36°C, intense heat; between February–April possible smog (elevated PM2.5).Monsoon May–October: 23-32°C, afternoon showers.Best months: November–January for clear skies and mild temperatures. | In Krabi dry season November–April: 24-33°C, calm sea; perfect for island-hopping.Monsoon May–October: 25-31°C, frequent rain and waves, peak in September–October.Water temperature 28-30°C year-round.Best months: December–March for snorkeling visibility and fewer boat cancellations.✓ Better |
| Transport and how to get there | CNX is 4 km from the Old City: taxi/Grab 150-200 THB (€4-5.30, 15-20 min).In town there’s no metro, use songthaew (30-60 THB ≈ €0.80-1.60), tuk-tuk (80-150 THB ≈ €2.10-4.00) and scooters (€5-8/day).From Bangkok flights 1h10; trains 10-13h to Chiang Mai station.Buses to Chiang Rai or Pai 3-4h from the Arcade Terminal. | KBV is 25 km from Ao Nang: taxis 500-600 THB (€13-16, 35-45 min); minivan 150 THB (€4).No metro: songthaew Ao Nang–Krabi Town 50 THB (€1.30).Longtail to Railay 100 THB (€2.60) per way (10-15 min).Scooter €7-10/day.From Bangkok flights 1h20; buses 10-12h.Ferry to Phi Phi 1.5-2h (450-600 THB ≈ €12-16). |
| Nightlife | Chiang Mai nightlife is centered in Nimmanhaemin and the Old City: Warm Up Cafe (cocktails 150-220 THB ≈ €4-6), North Gate Jazz Co-Op (live 21:00, free), Zoe in Yellow (beers 80-120 THB ≈ €2.10-3.20).Closing between 00:00 and 02:00.Craft beer at Chiang Mai Brew House (160-250 THB ≈ €4.30-6.60). | In Krabi evenings are in Ao Nang: bars with live music like Roots Rock Reggae and Smile Bar (cocktails 150-250 THB ≈ €4-6.60; buckets 200-300 THB ≈ €5.30-8).On the Railay Walking Street beach bars until 00:00-01:00.Relaxed vibe, fewer clubs than Phuket, but sea views.✓ Better |
| For families with children | In Chiang Mai: Grand Canyon Water Park (450 THB ≈ €12, ages 6+, 3-4h) 15 km away; Elephant Nature Park (full day €65-78, shuttle included) 60 km away; Elephant Poo Paper Park (100 THB ≈ €2.60, 1h) in Mae Rim.The Old City is compact (about 1.6 km per side), stroller-friendly.Avoid the hottest hours 12:00-15:00 and bring mosquito repellent. | In Krabi: sandy beaches of Ao Nang and Noppharat Thara (2 km apart) with shallow sea.Emerald Pool (200 THB ≈ €5.30, 2-3h) and Khlong Thom Hot Springs (200 THB ≈ €5.30) ~60 km away, easy trails.Longtail to Railay (15 min) with life jackets.Avoid Monkey Trail with strollers: 700 m of steps and boardwalks.✓ Better |
| Beaches and nature | Chiang Mai has no beaches; focus on mountains and parks.Doi Inthanon (300 THB ≈ €8, 70 km, 8-10h) offers waterfalls and Thailand’s highest point.Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall (~60 km, 1.5h travel; 1-2h on site) for climbing the falls; Mon Cham (30 THB ≈ €0.80, 25 km, 2-3h) views over Mae Rim.Cooler climate than the south. | In Krabi the best beaches: Railay West, Phra Nang and Noppharat Thara.Railay is 10-15 min by longtail from Ao Nang (100 THB ≈ €2.60).Trek to Khao Ngon Nak (Tubkaek, 3.7 km, 2-3h, free) with island views.Thung Teao Park (Emerald Pool) 60 km away, 2-3h visit; sea suitable for snorkeling in the dry season.✓ Better |
| Shopping | Chiang Mai: Sunday Night Market (16:00-22:00) on Ratchadamnoen Road; Saturday Wua Lai; Night Bazaar on Changklan Rd; Warorot Market (Kad Luang) by day.Purchases: silk scarves 250-600 THB (€6.60-16), Wua Lai silver 800-1,500 THB (€21-40), ceramics 120-250 THB (€3.20-6.60).Modern shops at One Nimman and MAYA Mall.✓ Better | Krabi: Krabi Walking Street (Fri-Sun, 17:00-22:00) and Ao Nang Landmark Night Market (17:00-23:00).Souvenirs: sarongs 150-250 THB (€4-6.60), beachwear 200-400 THB (€5.30-10.60), magnets 20-50 THB (€0.50-1.30).Less handicraft than Chiang Mai, but great for beachwear and local snacks (€1-3). |
| Safety and practical tips | In Chiang Mai beware of smog between February–April: bring an N95 mask.Scams: tuk-tuks saying “temples closed”; verify opening times.ATMs charge a fee of 220-250 THB (€5.80-6.60).Ride scooters with a helmet; avoid mountain roads at night.Emergency numbers: 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance).Hydration: 2-3 liters per day in heat. | In Krabi heed red flags for currents; wear life jackets on longtails.Possible jellyfish in May–October: carry vinegar in kits or ask lifeguards.Avoid feeding macaques on the Monkey Trail.Guard belongings on the beach; negotiate the boat price (100 THB per way) before boarding.Emergencies: 191/police, 1669/ambulance. |
| How many days you need | For Chiang Mai you need at least 3 days: day 1 Old City and Wat Chedi Luang; day 2 Doi Suthep + Nimman; day 3 a cooking class (€25-40, 4-6h).Ideally 4-5 days to include Doi Inthanon (8-10h) or Elephant Nature Park (8h). | For Krabi at least 3 days: day 1 Railay and Phra Nang; day 2 Four/Hong Islands tour (6-7h); day 3 Emerald Pool + Tiger Cave.Ideally 4-6 days to add Khao Ngon Nak (2-3h) and relax at Noppharat Thara. |
| How to combine the two cities | From Chiang Mai to Krabi the fastest way is a flight with a stop in Bangkok: total 3h30-5h (2 legs of ~1h15-1h25 + 1-2h layover), cost €60-120 (+ 20 kg baggage €10-20).Road distance ~1,450 km.Overland alternative: train Chiang Mai–Bangkok 11-13h + bus Bangkok–Krabi 10-12h, total 21-25h, €37-47. | Starting from Krabi to Chiang Mai the same times apply in reverse: flight via Bangkok 3h30-5h, €60-120.If you have more days, stop 1 night in Bangkok to break the trip.Airport transfers: KBV–Ao Nang taxi €13-16; CNX–Old City €4-6.Plan 1 “travel day” between the two. |
The Verdict
Choose Chiang Mai
If you want culture, low prices and a relaxed pace, choose Chiang Mai between November and January (15-28°C).
With €70-95/day you’ll cover a 4-star hotel, Lanna meals, Grab and 1 activity.4-day itinerary: day 1 Old City (Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh), day 2 Doi Suthep + sunset in Nimman, day 3 cooking class (€25-40) and Sunday Night Market, day 4 Doi Inthanon (300 THB ≈ €8).Avoid smog between February–April and ride scooters only with a helmet.Choose Krabi
If you want turquoise sea, cliffs and snorkeling, choose Krabi between December and March (24-33°C, calm sea).
With €85-120/day you’ll sleep in 4-star hotels in Ao Nang, eat fresh fish and take a boat trip every 2 days.4-day itinerary: day 1 Railay + Phra Nang, day 2 Hong Islands (800-1,200 THB + 300 THB fee), day 3 Emerald Pool + Tiger Cave, day 4 Khao Ngon Nak hike and relax at Noppharat Thara.Check flags on the beach and wear life jackets on longtails.