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

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Salzburg?

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 Salzburg. 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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Chiang Mai travel costs.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. Many visitors also come to Salzburg because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping. See Salzburg travel costs.

Chiang Mai and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Salzburg?

You'll generally find more things to do in Chiang Mai than Salzburg. Chiang Mai is bigger than Salzburg, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, hiking, and big city activities, while Salzburg is more popular for its music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Chiang Mai is well known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Also, Chiang Mai is famous for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Salzburg is well known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music.

How is Chiang Mai different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salzburg 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 Salzburg?

Chiang Mai is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Salzburg 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salzburg. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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

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

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chiang Mai is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Chiang Mai or Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Chiang Mai is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Chiang Mai offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Chiang Mai or Salzburg Better for Music?

Salzburg is a world-class destination for live music. However, Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Salzburg is known as a music capital around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Chiang Mai is not a live music destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

The historic old town of Salzburg is revered around the world. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

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.

Is Chiang Mai or Salzburg Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is terrific for the nearby hiking options. However, Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Chiang Mai draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Salzburg?

If you're looking to go shopping, Chiang Mai and Salzburg both offer plenty of world-class spots.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Chiang Mai. 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.

The abundance of shops in Salzburg make it a world-class shopping destination. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Is Chiang Mai or Salzburg More Beautiful?

Salzburg is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Salzburg because of it's amazing beauty. This stunning city is known for its beautiful churches and hillside views.

The beauty of Chiang Mai is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. 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.

Is Chiang Mai or Salzburg Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Salzburg are great 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.

Salzburg is a very kid-friendly city. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Is Chiang Mai or Salzburg Better for Couples?

Salzburg is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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.

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

Chiang Mai is terrific for backpackers. Also, Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Is Chiang Mai or Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg is fairly effecient and thorough. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

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 Salzburg a more walkable city?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Salzburg?

In either Chiang Mai or Salzburg, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai than Salzburg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 3-5 days is enough time in Salzburg.

Couples should spend more time in Salzburg than Chiang Mai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg?

Chiang Mai is a big city with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With live music and food around the recognizable city of Salzburg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Salzburg?

Chiang Mai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chiang Mai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With food and shopping around the destination of Salzburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Salzburg?

Chiang Mai is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chiang Mai, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Salzburg, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Salzburg?

Chiang Mai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Salzburg 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Salzburg?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg in the Summer?

Both Salzburg 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. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Salzburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Salzburg. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Salzburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Salzburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Salzburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Salzburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Salzburg. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. In the winter, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Salzburg averages at about -0°C (31°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Salzburg. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 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 Salzburg in the Spring?

Both Salzburg 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, many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Chiang Mai