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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Bergen?

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 Chiang Mai and Bergen. 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.

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 hiking, shopping, and museums. See Chiang Mai travel costs.

Bergen

Bergen is a friendly, laid back, and nostalgic city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Bergen travel costs.

Chiang Mai and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Bergen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Chiang Mai than Bergen. Chiang Mai is bigger than Bergen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is more popular for its small town charm. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Bergen 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. Bergen is well known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Chiang Mai different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chiang Mai is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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

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

For foodies, Chiang Mai is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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 Bergen. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

Is Chiang Mai or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Chiang Mai is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen 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 Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Chiang Mai or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is Chiang Mai or Bergen Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is very popular for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergen is not a hiking destination.

People visit Chiang Mai specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Bergen?

Chiang Mai is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bergen. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

Is Chiang Mai or Bergen More Beautiful?

Chiang Mai is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Bergen 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.

Bergen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chiang Mai or Bergen Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Bergen are superb family-friendly destinations.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Bergen is a very kid-friendly city. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

Is Chiang Mai or Bergen Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai and Bergen both superb destinations for a couple.

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.

Bergen is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

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

Chiang Mai is very popular for backpackers. Also, Bergen 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.

Bergen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Chiang Mai or Bergen Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Bergen is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Bergen is fairly effecient and thorough. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

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

Is Chiang Mai or Bergen a more walkable city?

Bergen is a great city for its walkability. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Bergen is very walkable. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable place. 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 Chiang Mai Worth Visiting? and Is Bergen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chiang Mai and Bergen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai than in Bergen. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Bergen 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 Chiang Mai or Bergen?

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.

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

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Bergen?

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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bergen, 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.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Bergen?

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.

Bergen, 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.

A week in Chiang Mai or Bergen?

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.

Bergen 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Bergen, we can see that Bergen is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Bergen is in Europe, 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 Bergen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergen 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 Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Bergen?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Bergen, 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 Chiang Mai or Bergen?

Bergen 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 Chiang Mai or Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Chiang Mai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Bergen. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Bergen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bergen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Bergen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Bergen. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Bergen. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Bergen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bergen can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Bergen averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Bergen. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Chiang Mai