The cultural capital of northern Thailand, surrounded by mountains

The offer data was updated on November 9, 2026.

About Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has been drawing travelers to the north for decades, and for good reason. The old city, a well-maintained, square moat with over 30 temples, invites visitors to stroll, is green, and considerably more relaxed than Bangkok. Outside the moat, you'll find the vibrant café scene of Nimmanhaemin Road, the enormous Warorot market along the river, and the 1,600-meter-high slopes of Doi Suthep to the west.

The city has become Thailand's unofficial capital for digital nomads and long-term expats, with coworking spaces and excellent cafes on every corner. But it's the surrounding mountains that make Chiang Mai so special: elephant sanctuaries in Mae Taeng, mountain villages near Doi Inthanon (Thailand's highest mountain at 2,565 m), and some of the country's best trekking routes. Songkran is legendary here – for three days, water fights rage throughout the city.

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  • Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
  • Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai

    • Visitor information

    Avoid: Mid-February – April (smoke and heat)

    Chiang Mai weather by month: rain, temperatures and humidity

    Peak season: December – January and Songkran (April)

    Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) offers direct flights from Bangkok (approximately 75 minutes), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight trains from Bangkok take 12–13 hours.

  • •Red songthaews (common pick-up trucks)
  • •Grave (available in the city center)
  • •Motorcycle rental (฿150-250/day)
  • •Tuk-tuks (negotiate the price beforehand)

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    Explore Chiang Mai by category

    Are you looking for a clear itinerary instead? Start with our "Things to Do in Chiang Mai" guide and then come back here to browse all entries by category.

    Chiang Mai offers 670 carefully selected places in 8 categories. Choose from 82 hotels and resorts for your stay. Discover 143 restaurants and eateries. Visit 86 temples and cultural sites. Book from 162 activities and tours.

    Browse the categories below or scroll down to see the top deals in each category. Every offer includes Google reviews from verified visitors, pricing information, and, where available, direct booking links.

    Book in advance in Chiang Mai

    The highest-rated tours offered by Klook in Chiang Mai, at today's prices. Most can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.

  • Over 20,000 bookings for the full-day small group tour in Doi Inthanon National Park (4.3 out of 5 stars, 2,128 reviews) from US$54.39
  • Over 300 bookings for the Chiang Mai bike tour from Trailhead (4.8 out of 5 stars, 18 reviews) starting from US$74.59
  • Over 300 bookings for the Chiang Mai Sticky Waterfalls Bike Tour from Trailhead (5.0 out of 9 reviews) starting from US$74.59

    • The best hotels in Chiang Mai

    My hotel selection in Chiang Mai in every price category, based on Google's hotel rating system. My top 10 hotels are displayed first, followed by the highest-rated ones. Each button takes you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you've already entered your travel dates.

  • #1 Luxury · 5-Star Shangri-La Chiang Mai 4.6 (4,289 reviews) Upscale hotel near Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar with spacious rooms, pool, spa, and Sichuan cuisine. Check prices
  • #3 Mid-range · 4 stars · U Chiang Mai Hotel 4.8 (2,000 reviews) · Chic boutique hotel on Rachadamnoen Road with fitness center, European bistro, and open-air bar. Check prices
  • #9 Budget · 3-Star Cross Chiang Mai Riverside 4.8 (994 reviews) A boutique riverside resort in Chiang Mai with stylish rooms, a spa, a pool, and fine dining. Check prices

    • Hotels & Resorts

    Shangri-La Chiang Mai

    Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

    Meliá Chiang Mai

    U Chiang Mai Hotel

    Restaurants & Food

    Tong Tem Toh

    Huen Phen

    Khao Soi Khun Yai

    Free Bird Cafe

    Temples and Culture

    Doi Suthep Temple

    The Phae Gate

    Wat Phra That Doi Kham

    Wat Chedi Luang

    Markets & Shopping

    Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

    Central Chiang Mai

    MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center

    Chiang Mai Central Airport

    Activities & Tours

    Chiang Mai Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

    Mon Jam

    Chiang Mai Night Safari

    San Kamphaeng hot springs

    Nightlife & Bars

    The North Gate Jazz Co-op

    Zoe in Yellow

    Warm Up Café

    MAI The Sky Bar

    Wellness & Spas

    The massage center for women of former prisoners

    Green Bamboo Massage

    Zira Spa

    Calm Massage and Spa (Inthawarorot branch)

    transport

    Chiang Mai International Airport

    Arrival in Chiang Mai and onward travel

    Arrival

  • Bangkok – Chiang Mai: Fastest flight (1 hr 10–20 min + airport time), cheapest express bus ($16–$25). Compare all 6 options.
  • Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai: Fastest minivan (approx. 3 hours), cheapest green bus (express class, 260–290 ฿). Compare all 4 options.
  • Koh Samui – Chiang Mai: Cheapest option: boat and bus + sleeper car + daytime train, approx. 1,800–2,300 baht (station prices). Compare all 4 options.
  • Krabi – Chiang Mai: Fastest direct flight, 1 hour 55 minutes flight time. Compare all 5 connections.
  • Luang Prabang – Chiang Mai: Fastest direct connection with Lao Airlines, approximately 1 hour. Cheapest connection: Night bus via Huay Xai, approximately 1,380–2,000 baht. Compare all 5 options.
  • PaiChiang Mai: Fastest private car, approx. 3 hours. Cheapest prempracha minivan, approx. 150 ฿ at the counter (180–270+ ฿ online). Compare all 5 options.
  • Phuket – Chiang Mai: Fastest direct flight, approximately 2 hours flight time, approximately 4.5 hours door-to-door. Cheapest direct flight, approximately 1,800–3,600 ฿ (without baggage). Compare all 5 options.

    • Further from Chiang Mai

  • Chiang Mai – Bangkok: Fastest flight, 1 hr 05–25 min (+ airport time) | Cheapest flight: Rapid No. 102, seat with fan, $7–12 | Compare all 6 options
  • Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai: Fastest minivan (approx. 3 hours), cheapest green bus (express class, 260–290 ฿). Compare all 4 options.
  • Chiang Mai – Koh Samui: Cheapest daytime connection: Train + sleeper car + bus and ferry, approx. 1,850–2,000 Baht at the station, 3,023 Baht as a 12Go ticket. Compare all 5 options.
  • Chiang Mai – Krabi: Fastest direct flight, 2 hours flight time. Compare all 5 options.
  • Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang: Fastest direct flight with Lao Airlines, approx. 50 minutes. Cheapest option: Van + train Laos–China, approx. US$25–35 from Huay Xai. Compare all 6 options.
  • Chiang Mai Pai (Fastest connection). Other vans from the Old City, approx. 3–4 hours (Cheapest connection). Prempracha minivan, approx. 150–220 ฿ at the counter, 270–355 ฿ online. Compare all 6 options.
  • Chiang Mai – Phuket: Fastest direct flight, 2–2 hours 10 minutes flight time, approx. 4.5 hours door-to-door. Cheapest connection: Sleeper car to Bangkok + night bus, approx. 1,725–1,825 Baht. Compare all 6 options.
  • Chiang Mai – Sukhothai: Fastest private car, approximately 4 to 4.5 hours; Cheapest Win Tour direct bus connection, approximately 300–500 ฿. Compare all 5 options.

    • Live departures from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with 12GoEvery across the entire Thailand route compared

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    Frequently asked questions about Chiang Mai

    From mid-February to April, the slash-and-burn season takes place, during which farmers clear their fields and air quality deteriorates rapidly. On the worst days, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches values ​​above 200. If you have respiratory problems, you should definitely avoid this period. The rest of the year is pleasant, and from November to February, the nights are cool with temperatures reaching up to 15°C.

    Flights take 1 hour 10 to 20 minutes and cost from around US$20 with AirAsia or Nok Air. The classic way to get there is by night train. Train No. 9 departs Krung Thep Aphiwat at 6:40 PM and arrives around 7:15 AM. A second-class seat costs between 941 and 1,041 baht. Buses depart from Mo Chit and take 9 to 10 hours.

    Excellent. The pace is more leisurely than in Bangkok, the traffic is manageable, and there's plenty for children to do: elephant sanctuaries, zip lines at Flight of the Gibbon, Chiang Mai Zoo, and easy temple visits. Numerous restaurants offer dishes for families and international palates.

    The Old City (within the city moat) is home to the grand temples, affordable guesthouses, and the pedestrian zone on Sundays. Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) is the modern district with boutique hotels, specialty coffee shops, sophisticated cocktail bars, and coworking spaces. Most visitors spend their time exploring both districts, which are only a 10-minute songthaew ride apart.

    Chiang Mai, with its temples, delicious food, and cool nights, is a must-see from November to February, while Phuket, with its beaches and boat trips, is perfect from November to April. The two cities are only about a two-hour flight apart, making it possible to visit both in a week. My comparison of Chiang Mai and Phuket covers all aspects in detail.

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