Our Chiang Mai guide has everything you need to make a visit to this Northern Thailand City enjoyable. With local insider tips and practical advice, on what to see and do during a stay in this welcoming city.
Much of the advice in the guide is in response to questions asked in our Chiang Mai Travel Planning Facebook Group. This vibrant group is full of hints and tips on Chiang Mai and exists to help people plan a visit.
Click here to join Chiang Mai Travel Planning
How to get to Chiang Mai
The Chiang Mai International Airport( CNX) is the quickest option for those visiting from within Thailand. Daily direct flights are available from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) airports.
For those visiting from other popular tourist destinations in Thailand daily flights are also easy to find usually with a stop via Bangkok.
As an international airport, it is also possible to fly directly into Chiang Mai from some neighbouring countries. We recently flew direct from Kuala Lumpur and avoided the long immigration queues which was a welcome change from our usual flights landing directly into Bangkok.
Check with your Airline for options of direct flights into Chiang Mai if you are arriving from a nearby country.
Bus and train services are also available from Bangkok and while not as quick as flying offer a unique experience at an affordable price.
Click here for bus and train ticket to Chiang Mai from Bangkok
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
Although busy year round, below are our recommendations when planning your stay.
November to February is the ideal time to visit when the weather is a little cooler. This is the high season in Chiang Mai and has an influx of tourists, who come to enjoy the sights, take in the atmosphere, and enjoy outdoor activities.
February (sometimes January) to April are the months best avoided if you suffer from respiratory difficulties as this is known locally as the Smokey season in Northern Thailand. During this time, the air quality can reduce dramatically because of smoke haze from the burning of crops within Thailand and neighbouring countries.
Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains and the city does at time become blanketed in a thick haze reducing the air quality to sometimes unhealthy levels.
There is a wealth of information available on the causes and steps Thailand are trying to implement to circumvent this annual event but to date no permanent solution has been implemented.
The air quality effects people differently, and we have personally stayed in Chiang Mai during the Smokey season, but many, including local expats take this time to visit Southern Thailand to avoid this period.
May to October is wet season with on average most rainfall between July and August.
Naturally, weather is difficult to predict in advance but if your travel plans have you visiting during this time the rain may not inconvenience your day to day activities.
Rain showers often tend to be for short durations, and it can be a great time to visit as the rain can provide a welcome relief to the hot days.
Having said that, it does sometimes rain heavy for a few days at a time and localised flooding does sometimes occur.
Guide for getting around in Chiang Mai
Transport options include the following:
- Songthaew (red bus with bench seats)
- Tuk Tuk
- Taxi
- Rideshare Apps (Grab, Bolt, Maxim)
- Car or motorcycle hire
If you will be staying in the central areas of Chiang Mai including the Old City, Night Bazaar area or Nimmanhaemin you have all the above conveniently available. Prices vary but, overall, it’s quite easy to get around for an affordable price.
Getting to and from the Airport. There are Taxi stands at the Airport and a ride from the Airport into town is 150baht.
Check here for private transport if you prefer to book pre-arranged transport to your accommodation.
Songthaew red bus
A Songthaew has two bench seats for passengers and will normally cost 30baht for most locations within the city per person. Sometimes drivers will try and quote more if asked but if you feel the price is inflated just decline and flag down another one. They are plentiful and you shouldn’t have to wait long for another one to come along.
The exception is if you are wanting to go long distances for instance to Doi Suthep mountain in which case you can expect to pay quite a lot more.
Normally when taking a Songthaew out of the main city area it’s best to obtain a firm hire quote to the attraction and back and tell the driver you need him to wait while you visit the attraction.
In these circumstances you would pay the quoted price when the return journey is completed. This is particularly important at locations such as Doi Suthep to avoid having to pay inflated prices to get back to town if you only have a one way journey booked.
Chiang Mai Tuk Tuk guide
Although it can be fun, a Tuk Tuk is much more expensive than a Songthaew. Prices are negotiated and difficult to find for under 100baht even for a short distance. Having said that if it’s your first time in Thailand take a Tuk Tuk ride just for the experience. Just don’t bother using them for day to day travel unless you don’t mind spending more to get around.
Is Taxi good value?
Taxi prices vary and sometimes preferred by many for pickups from major attractions, hotels, and the airport. Although Taxi cabs have meters normally the driver will quote a fixed price. With so many other much more affordable options a Taxi is our last choice.
Guide to Chiang Mai Rideshare Apps
Grab, Bolt and Maxim are the 3 main rideshare options with Grab being the largest player in this field. Normally Grab has the most drivers available at any time and the most popular. Although more expensive than Songthaew the price quoted in the App will ensure pickup and drop off without having to share the ride.
Rideshare Apps are an affordable and safe option especially if you are unfamiliar with the layout of the city and they are extremely popular.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Hosting thousands of annual visitors Chiang Mai has a wide selection of accommodation options. From high end boutique hotels and resorts to midrange and budget options, you are sure to find accommodation to suit all comfort levels for couples, families, and solo travellers.
One of the best hotels is 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai. We were fortunate to stay at this outstanding property and highly recommend it if you are looking for a luxurious stay during your visit.
*TIP
To make the search for suitable accommodation easier we have compiled our personal guide of the top hotels in Chiang Mai.
Click here to check reviews and current pricing of Chiang Mai hotels
Options for longer stays
If you are planning a stay of a month or longer and looking to rent a condo/apartment, your best option is to pre-book hotel stays for the first couple of nights and then personally visit condominium buildings to view rooms. This is by far the best way to find suitable accommodation for long term in Chiang Mai, because most condominium rentals cannot be found on the major booking platforms.
Style and quality of rooms even within the same building can vary, Therefore, personal inspection before committing to a lease is recommended.
Unlike most western countries where you may need to apply and be accepted for a rental, Thailand is different. It’s normally possible to view a room, agree on the price and then move in with minimal delay. Sometimes even the same day.
Many condominium buildings have onsite reception staff that handle the rentals rather than individual owners. While one month rentals are available in some properties, the majority prefer long term rentals of at least 3 months or longer. Better prices can be negotiated for longer term rentals.
Can I rent a house?
While it is possible to rent a house in Chiang Mai your options within the city are limited, as most houses are outside the main tourist areas, and you would need access to a motorbike or car as public transport is often less accessible the further out you go.
Is tap water in Chiang Mai safe to drink?
No, do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere.
Health and safety in Chiang Mai
Thailand has a world class health infrastructure and is well known for its affordable health and wellness clinics. Visitors from around the world plan trips to Thailand for medical, dental, and cosmetic procedures by surgeons that would normally cost much more in their home countries.
Often the medical practitioners are western trained, with many fluent in English. Chiang Mai being the second largest city in Thailand has many hospitals, wellness centres and dental clinics. We personally have all our dental work carried out in Chiang Mai at a fraction of the cost we would have to pay in our home country of Australia.
Unlike many large western cities Chiang Mai has a reputation for being a safe city. Violent crime especially for foreigners is considered low as is petty crime. Providing you don’t put yourself in compromising situations and observe respectable behaviour, your stay in Chiang Mai should be enjoyable and incident free.
We personally feel very safe even walking the streets at night. There are some late night adult venues that have a reputation for taking advantage of intoxicated foreigners by overcharging, so be mindful of your surroundings if you visit these places alone.
As with all foreign travel it is recommended that you purchase suitable travel insurance prior to travelling should the unexpected happen.
Check here for the travel insurance we use and recommend
Internet access in Chiang Mai
Free WiFi is available everywhere and you shouldn’t have any problem staying connected. As most travellers these days prefer constant online access, sim cards are available at the Airport, most shops, and with the major Thailand telcos at shopping malls. When purchasing a Sim card you will need to show your passport.
Alternatively, our preferred option for Internet access during our worldwide travels is via eSims, which can be purchased online before travel. They are so simple and fast to install and all phones manufactured within the last few years should be compatible.
Our article on International eSims for travel has everything you need explaining what they are, how to set them up and special pricing offers.
Click here for the best deals on eSims
What food should I try?
Thai food has a worldwide reputation of delicious and often spicy dishes, and anyone visiting Thailand is in for a treat with endless options available.
In Chiang Mai you will find affordable Thai street food in abundance. Some of the best food you will ever have can be purchased for just a couple of dollars from any of the many vendors that set up stalls daily throughout the city.
The dish Northern Thailand is famous for, is Khao Soi, which is a coconut curry noodle soup. The dish is topped with crispy fried noodles and normally comes with a chicken leg in the soup.
Accompanying the dish is normally a small dish of red onion, slice of lime, pickled greens, and chili. Some variations have beef or pork instead of chicken and a vegetarian version is offered by some establishments.
When visiting Chiang Mai you should try Khao Soi. It can be found everywhere at affordable prices. For those wanting the comfort of a restaurant, many restaurants offer traditional Thai dishes from just a few dollars per meal.
Western style cuisine is also easy to find but these dishes tend to be more expensive. On average though it’s possible to have a western style food in many places for cheaper than you would pay in your home country. It really depends on what kind of western food you want. High end establishments will be on par with what you would pay in your home country.
Chiang Mai has many of the major fast food chains and these are often similar in price to what you would pay in your home country.
Our guide on where to find the best breakfast in Chiang Mai has a broad selection of the top food options available at many popular venues.
What are the best markets to visit?
The Sunday Night Walking Street Market is a Chiang Mai institution and is held every Sunday night. The road stretching from Tha Phae Gate into the old city is closed to traffic together with some of the adjoining streets.
Stalls line the streets selling everything from food, handicrafts, clothing, traditional hilltribe wares, plus much more. No stay is complete without visiting the massive Chiang Mai Sunday Walking Street night market.
The Chiang Mai Night Markets are held nightly along Chang Klan Road. This is one of the main tourist locations of Chiang Mai and there are multiple markets lining this street, selling a variety of wares including artwork, tailor shops and food, as well as many smaller stalls and restaurants lining the sidewalk on both sides of the street. The area gets busy at night with plenty of Tuk Tuks and Songthaews on hand.
The largest market on Chang Klan Road is the Anusarn Market. This is a large fully covered market housing a wide variety of stalls selling everything from clothing to artwork, woodwork, and Thai souvenirs.
It also has a sizeable food court area with plenty of seating and often live entertainment, including a lively cabaret show. The adult themed ladyboy cabaret show is a lot of fun and well worth visiting.
For those looking for daytime markets Chiang Mai also has many to choose from scattered throughout the city. The best known daytime market in Chiang Mai is Warorot Market (Kad Luang).
This market stretches for blocks and has everything imaginable. As well as clothing and homewares It also includes a large fresh flower market and massive fresh fruit and vegetables markets, together with wet markets selling fresh produce.
Although Warorot Market is frequented by the local population who visit daily to buy produce, it is still worth visiting during your stay and wondering around you will normally find many local expats and curious visitors. A visit to Warorot Market to purchase Thai cooking ingredients will be included in most of the Thai cooking classes in Chiang Mai.
Click here for reviews and pricing of popular cooking classes in Chiang Mai
Although more a local market it is well worth a visit and a place to pick up a bargain at local prices. All local transport providers will be familiar with Warorot Market as it is one of the most visited locations in Chiang Mai for locals.
Currency exchanges in Chiang Mai
The currency of Thailand is Thai Baht – THB. While credit/debit cards are accepted in some establishments including most hotels, shopping malls and larger restaurants, smaller venues including markets, street food stalls and small shops often only take cash. Or, if they do take cards there will be a minimum amount needed to be spent and a 1-3% surcharge in these places is often applied.
Therefore, you should ensure you have some local currency for everyday purchases. The city has plenty of ATM’s which are a quick and convenient option to withdraw local currency. However, all Thai Banks ATM’s have a charge of at least 220 Baht for cash withdrawals on foreign cards.
This is applied in addition to any fees payable to your bank. Even if you use a debit card which has free foreign money withdrawals you will still be charged the 220 Baht fee no matter the size of the withdrawal. In addition, Banks have limits on withdrawal amounts.
These limits vary between banks and if you need to withdraw substantial amounts more than the set limit and need to make multiple withdrawals you will pay the 220 Baht fee each time.
If you are arriving with cash to exchange you will find many currency exchanges within the city of Chiang Mai. Our advice is to compare the rates offered as they differ depending on locations.
Our preferred travel card is the Wise card and Wise App. It’s free and has excellent exchange rates.
Click here to learn more about Wise
*TIP
Bring cash if you are renting a condominium as most will not accept cards.
If you are intending to rent a condominium during your stay many condominium leases require you pay the first month’s rent up front, plus an additional 2 month’s rent (like a bond) which should be returned on completion of the lease.
Therefore, you may find you need a large amount of cash to move in. In this case if you don’t have the cash on hand multiple ATM withdrawals may be required which would in turn result in paying 220 BAHT each time.
In this case our advice would be to bring enough cash which can be exchanged into local currency thereby saving the 220 Baht fees.
Guide to Chiang Mai top attractions
For in-depth lists of attractions and locations see our itinerary guide to Chiang Mai which has a wealth of information on what to see and do in this bustling city and surrounding locations.
What are the best day trips from Chiang Mai?
Our tour guide to Chiang Mai has a detailed selection of the popular single day and multi day Chiang Mai tours that can be purchased upon arrival. Or, to guarantee availability pre-booked prior to arriving.
Visiting Chiang Rai or Pai
If you have the time a trip to Chiang Rai to visit the White Temple, Black House and Blue Temple is a must. Click here to read our detailed Chiang Rai guide.
Click here for tour pricing and reviews for travel to Chiang Rai
The town of Pai to the north is also a favourite, especially for the free spirited and young at heart who venture to Pai for the laid back lifestyle and spectacular scenery. Our Chiang Mai to Pai guide has everything you need to plan a visit.
Click here for tour pricing and reviews for travel to Pai
For those that prefer independent travel, or want to stay longer, both locations can also be visited by taking a bus departing from the Bus station or in some cases via hotel pickup.
Click here to buy bus tickets from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Click here to buy bus tickets from Chiang Mai to Pai
At times we have members of our Chiang Mai Travel Planning Facebook Group asking if private drivers can be booked for transport to these places.
The answer is yes, it’s certainly possible, but we can’t personally endorse any private drivers without first knowing if they have the correct licenses, insurance or permits to conduct these activities. The roads of Thailand are notorious for accidents and Thailand has the unenviable record of having one of the world’s largest road fatality records.
We do not recommend booking any private driver unless you are confident, they are certified tour operators.
Last words on Chiang Mai Guide
We hope you have everything you need to plan your stay in Chiang Mai. If you would like to find additional information or have any questions, be sure to join our community in our Chiang Mai Facebook Group. It’s free to join and full of helpful advice.
Click here to join our Facebook Group on visiting Chiang Mai
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