Chiang Mai

Ancient temples and mountain escapes

Chiang Mai welcomes visitors with a calm energy and rich cultural traditions. Known for its mountain views, ancient temples and lively markets, the city balances modern life with centuries-old customs. Travelers can explore historic sites like Wat Phra That Doi Suthep or wander through Old City walls that once protected the kingdom. Street food stalls serve flavorful dishes such as khao soi and mango sticky rice. Local artisans work with silk, wood and metal, keeping traditional crafts alive in daily life.

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City in Thailand

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.3

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	4

Read details

3/5

Many people in Chiang Mai, especially in the tourist areas, speak basic to good English. In hotels, restaurants, and markets, communication is usually not an issue, but in rural areas or with older locals, Thai language skills or a translation app might b

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Chiang Mai Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

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Excellent for temples and mountain culture. Visit historic monasteries, explore night markets, hike jungle trails and experience elephant sanctuaries.

Place score

8.1

Best at:

Street food

Local cuisine

Markets

Crafts shopping

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

💻 9

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Thailand – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Thai Baht (THB) £1 ≈ THB 44.95
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Thailand, especially in major cities. Mobile payments such as Line Pay, GrabPay, and Apple Pay are common. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Thailand, but it is appreciated. In restaurants, leaving 10% is common. Taxi fares are rounded up, and small tips for hotel staff are encouraged.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in Thailand, though alcohol is available in licensed venues like bars and restaurants. Laws around drinking in public can be strictly enforced in some areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including shopping centres and restaurants, but designated smoking areas are common.

Songkran (13–15 April)	Thai New Year celebrated with water fights
Father's Day (King Bhumibol Memorial Day) (5 December)	Honours the late King Bhumibol, with ceremonies across the country

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 191 (Police), 1155 (Tourist Police), 1669 (Ambulance), 199 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Grab, Bolt
Other:	Thailand is known for its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and rich history. Popular activities include visiting temples, experiencing the vibrant nightlife, and enjoying the country’s diverse cuisine.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Chiang Mai, Thailand

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

⛈️

May

🌦️

Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Burning season February to April brings heavy smoke; air quality is worst in March

Songkran water festival April 13 to 15: city-wide water fights, many shops closed

Yi Peng lantern festival and Loy Krathong around the November full moon; book months ahead

Don't miss

⛩️ Explore the ancient temples of the Old City
🍲 Join a traditional Thai cooking class with locals
🛕 Visit the sacred Doi Suthep temple atop the mountain
🛍️ Walk the colorful Chiang Mai Sunday Walking Street Market
🐘 Spend a day with rescued elephants ethically
☕ Relax in a riverside café by the Ping River

You've been here?

Why travel to Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is a haven for travelers who love culture, food and outdoor adventure. It has over 300 temples, each with its own history, plus vibrant markets, world-class street food and a deep connection to Thai traditions. Beyond the city, the lush mountains offer incredible hiking, elephant sanctuaries and peaceful retreats. It's also one of the best places in Thailand for digital nomads and long-term travelers, with a welcoming community and affordable living costs. The only downside? If you visit during 'burning season' (March-April), the air quality can be bad due to agricultural fires.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Wat Chiang Man
This historic temple in Chiang Mai features a massive chedi and intricate murals. The site spans several acres of gardens, offering visitors a serene atmosphere to explore ancient architecture and cultural heritage throughout the day.
2 Wat Chedi Luang
3 Wat Phra Singh
4 Wat Suan Dok Monk Chat
5 Wat Umong (Suan Buddha Dhamma)
6 Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
7 Punspace Tha Phae Gate
8 Bhubing Palace
9 Lanna Folklife Museum
10 Three Kings Monument
11 Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

🎡Places for activities

1 Elephant Nature Park
2 Grand Canyon Water Park
3 Flight of the Gibbon
4 Thai Secret Cooking School & Organic Garden Farm
5 Zabb-E-Lee Thai Cooking School

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Mae Sa Waterfall
2 Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
3 Doi Inthanon National Park
4 Doi Pui Viewpoint
5 Mon Cham
6 Huay Tueng Tao Lake
7 Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall
8 Ob Khan National Park Road

🛍️Shopping

1 Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai offers vibrant street food, handcrafted souvenirs and lively entertainment under colorful lights. It's a bustling hub for tourists seeking authentic Thai culture, shopping and nightlife experiences without leaving the city center.
2 Rimping Supermarket
3 Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center
4 One Nimman
5 Warorot Market
6 Sunday Market (Walking Street)
7 Saturday Night Market
8 Kad-Luang Robinson (food variety)
9 Central Festival Chiang Mai

🎈Events

Yi Peng Lantern Festival (November)
Songkran Water Festival (April)
Loy Krathong Festival (November)
Flower Festival (February)
Chiang Mai Jazz Festival (December)
Inthakin City Pillar Festival (May-June)
Nimmanhaemin Art & Design Promenade (December)
Chiang Mai International Balloon Festival (March)
Doi Suthep Pilgrimage (May)
Chiang Mai Street Art Festival (January)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Dress modestly for temples; shoulders and knees should be covered.
Base yourself in or near the Old City for walkable temples, cafés, markets and easy access to tuk-tuks.
Cool, dry season from November to February is most comfortable, while March–May can be intensely hot and smoky.
Prioritize ethical elephant sanctuaries and join a cooking class or craft workshop to experience local culture beyond standard tourist attractions.

How to travel to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok and other major Asian cities. There are also overnight trains and buses from Bangkok, with the train offering a scenic but slow journey.

Access summary

From Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): Taxi or rideshare to Old City, 15–20 minutes.
From Bangkok: Numerous daily flights to CNX, usually about 1–1.5 hours.
From Pai: Popular mountain minivan route, very winding roads, around 3–4 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has accommodations for all budgets, from budget hostels in the old town to luxury resorts in the hills. Nimmanhaemin is great for trendy cafes and digital nomads, while the Old City is best for first-time visitors who want to be close to temples and markets.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Eastin Tan Hotel Chiang Mai

9.2

Hotel MAYU Chiang Mai

Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel Chiang Mai

8.9

At Pingnakorn Nimman Hotel

8.8

Stay with Nimman Chiang Mai

9.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a walkable city in the old town, but for longer distances, you’ll need transportation. Songthaews (red shared taxis) are the most common way to get around and Grab (ride-hailing app) is widely available. Renting a motorbike is an option but requires confidence in traffic.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-65 %

Daily expenses in Chiang Mai are around 65% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to THB) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£30	£66	£145
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£13	£39	£62
🍝 Food per day	£14	£22	£67
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£15

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£7.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.70
🍟 Fast food combo	£6
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.70
☕ Cappuccino	£1.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.75
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£9
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.40
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£15
🤧 Cold medication	£0.95
💇 Basic haircut	£3.30

Safety information overview

General safety

Chiang Mai is generally safe, but watch out for petty theft in crowded markets. Be cautious when renting motorbikes, as traffic can be chaotic. Scams involving overpriced tours and unethical animal tourism exist, so research before booking.

Health & Medical

Medical care in Chiang Mai is good, with international hospitals available. Tap water isn't safe to drink, so stick to bottled or filtered water. Mosquitoes can be a concern, so use repellent to prevent dengue fever.

Accessibility

The old city is mostly flat and walkable, but many temples and attractions have steps. Sidewalks can be uneven or nonexistent, making accessibility challenging for wheelchair users. Songthaews require climbing in and out, so private taxis may be a better option.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink, but filtered water stations are available and bottled water is cheap. Many cafes and restaurants provide free drinking water.