This Chiang Mai travel guide covers everything you need to know—from the best neighborhoods to stay in and how to get around to safety tips and must-try restaurants. It’s loaded with insider tips to help you have an unforgettable trip!
Chiang Mai is one of those places that instantly captures your heart. Nestled in the mountains of northern Thailand, this laid-back city is known for its ancient temples, buzzing night markets, and easy access to nature and adventure.
We’ve visited Chiang Mai multiple times over the years—even calling it “home” on several occasions for months at a time. And each time we return, we uncover something new.
Whether you’re coming for the food, the culture, or just to slow down and soak it all in, this city has a way of drawing you in.
Our experience in Chiang Mai
We’ve spent a lot of time in Chiang Mai over the years—returning again and again because we simply can’t get enough.
In fact, we’ve lived here twice, each time for 6-month stints, renting an apartment and settling into local life. It’s a place that truly feels like a home away from home.
Most recently, we had the joy of introducing our daughter to Chiang Mai for the first time, and seeing it through her eyes made us fall in love with the city all over again.
In this Chiang Mai travel guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know before you go—from how to get there and where to stay, to tips on getting around and insider advice we’ve learned from our time exploring this charming Thai city.
Chiang Mai Travel Guide
- How many days?
- Best time to visit
- Top things to do
- Custom map
- Getting around
- How to get there from the airport
- Tips for visiting
- Where to eat
- Where to stay
- What to pack
How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?
Now that we have shared all the fun things to do in Chiang Mai, you’re probably wondering how you’re to fit it all in? AmIright??
The number of days you should spend in Chiang Mai depends on your interests, travel preferences, and the activities you plan to do.
If you’re more interested in exploring Thailand’s diverse landscapes outside of the city, you may find that 3 days in Chiang Mai is enough to get your palette wet. However, for a well-rounded experience of Chiang Mai, we’d suggest spending 5 to 7 days in the city.
Here are some general guidelines:
- 3-4 days: Get a taste exploring Chiang Mai’s Old City and Nimman neighborhoods. Visit historic sites like Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat, and the night markets. And get a taste of Chiang Mai’s food scene.
- 5-7 days: If you have specific interests like taking a cooking class, doing a Monk Chat or learning Muay Thai, you might want to allocate additional time for exploration and cultural experiences.
- 1 week or more: More time for exploring the city. Allocate 1 to 2 days for day trips to nearby destinations such as Doi Inthanon National Park, Sticky Waterfalls, or an elephant sanctuary, each offering unique experiences.
Best time to visit Chiang Mai
Before you plan your trip there is one very important thing to consider… We are going to go over the best time to visit Chiang Mai (and when to avoid visiting at all costs!).
- Thai “winter” has the best weather (November – January): Don’t be fooled by the word “winter” — temperatures are comfortable (warm during the day and slightly crisp at night). Also, during this time of year, rain is rare and the air is fresh!
- AVOID burning Season (February – April): We would absolutely avoid visiting Chiang Mai during “burning season”. This falls during the months of February, March and April, and is a time when farmers in many parts of Southeast Asia burn their fields to prepare for the next season. Paired with dry weather, the air becomes extremely polluted and smoky. It can be difficult to breathe, so outdoor activities are not recommended. Plus, during this time, you can’t even see the mountains because the air is so thick with smoke.
- We would strongly advise against visiting Chiang Mai during this time. We lived in CM during this time, and it made most activities outside pretty miserable. Thankfully, weather in many of the Thai islands is very nice during this time of year.
- Hot & rainy season (May – October): Rain is frequent during these months and the temperatures can be unbearably hot and humid. Often times, the rain doesn’t last all day, but when it falls, it falls hard!
→ Related: Read up more on the best time to visit Thailand. This country is huge and spans many different microclimates, so the weather varies a lot!
Top Things to do in Chiang Mai
If you’re looking for the very best things to do in Chiang Mai, here are our top recommendations:
- Climb up “Sticky Waterfalls”
- Hike the Pilgrim’s Path to a temple in the jungle (Wat Pha Lat)
- See elephants in Chiang Mai the responsible way
- Paddle down river with a Bamboo Raft
- Go temple hopping
- Try Khao Soi in Chiang Mai
- Take a Thai Cooking Class
We have an entire article dedicated to the best things to do in Chiang Mai where we share details and tips for first-time visitors.
Chiang Mai map: Our favorite spots!
Click on the map and enter your email to gain access to our interactive Chiang Mai map. It’s filled with 100+ custom pins of everything on this list, plus our favorite eateries, day trips and more!
How to get around Chiang Mai
Getting from one place to another is quite simple in Chiang Mai due to all the options for transportation. Here are just a few of the most common ways to get around:
Songthaew (Red Truck)
These “shared taxis” are everywhere in the city and can basically take you anywhere you want to go for about 30-60 baht per person. More information above in #40.
Grab
Southeast Asia’s version of Uber and Lyft, this ride sharing app is super handy when wanting to get to a specific place. Grab constantly has promotions going on and we have gotten across the city for 20 baht before! Typical rides around town vary from 50-100 baht.
Motorbike
We only recommend renting a motorbike if you have driven one before and are comfortable with driving in a busy city and on the left side of the road. Additionally, you should always respect the rules of the road and don’t ride like an idiot to try to impress people.
Now that I’ve gotten that warning over with: Renting a motorbike can be one of the cheapest ways to get around and explore the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Rentals start at around 250 – 300 baht per day. You’ll need to leave your passport at the rental shop for collateral.
And please, please, PLEASE… wear a proper helmet (with wind-guard and facemask). It’s worth the extra 50 baht ($1.66 USD). We have seen/heard off too many travelers getting in accidents and we don’t want that to be you.
How to get to the city center from the airport
Chiang Mai International Airport is located pretty near the city center (about a 10 minute drive to the Phae Gate in the Old City and 15 minutes to Nimman Road).
When you arrive at the Chiang Mai International Airport, there is a taxi queue, but you’ll find that it is overpriced. Instead, order a Grab to pick you up directly from the airport.
Or if you are on a shoestring budget, you can wait in front of the departure doors for a songthaew to come by. From the airport to the city, it should cost around 50 baht per person.
Tips for visiting Chiang Mai
When you’re visiting Chiang Mai, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
- Know what weather to expect. Chiang Mai is pretty darn reliable when it comes to weather, so look up the weather in advance so you can plan and pack accordingly. And if possible, avoid burning season – trust us (we’ve experienced it and it’s awful).
- Save room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Chiang Mai is my favorite place in Thailand to stock up on souvenirs. It tends to be cheaper than shopping in Bangkok or the Thai islands. Plus, the markets are great places to browse just about all the souvenirs you can imagine in one place.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking a lot in Chiang Mai, and the sidewalks are notoriously uneven, so wear your comfiest shoes!
- Bring layers to wear at temples. When visiting temples (which you’ll definitely do in CM!) women will want to have something to cover your shoulders and knees. I like carrying a sarong in my bag which can be wrapped around my waist as a skirt, and a loose fitting t-shirt if I need to cover up a tank top.
- Don’t try to see all the things. There is so much to do and see in Chiang Mai that it can be overwhelming. Prioritize the things you want to see the most because you definitely won’t be able to do it all. Also, my advice is to choose a few temples that stand out to you and not try to see them all. There are hundreds and they can start to blend together after a while, in my opinion.
- Have a plan for transportation. Do you feel comfortable renting a motorbike? If not, you’ll need to rely on songthaews and Grabs to get around the city (which is pretty easy). The part that will be trickier is getting to the places outside the city. If you plan to do a lot of exploring outside the center, you may need to book a tour or arrange a driver.
Where to eat in Chiang Mai
From an amazing street food scene with traditional Thai dishes, to an abundance of vegetarian and vegan places, to tons of international options, Chiang Mai is truly a gem when it comes to food.
Insider Tip: We love going into Google Maps and looking at the reviews for all the restaurants near our current location. Typically, you can’t go wrong when the reviews are 4.5 and up!
You could eat at a new restaurant every day of the year and still not visit all of Chiang Mai’s restaurants and food stalls, so there’s absolutely no way we could make a comprehensive list.
Honestly, I’m hesitant to even list restaurants here, as you won’t have to look far to find great food… But here are a (big) handful of restaurants (mostly in the Nimman neighborhood) to get you started:
**= vegetarian / vegan restaurant
*= many vegetarian vegan options (but still serves meat)
Local/Thai food
- Anchan**: One of our favorites! Vegetarian versions of Thai favorites. We especially love their massaman curry and stir fried mixed veggies. Yum!
- Khao Soi Mae Sai: Our favorite Khao Soi place in the city! Local shop, and cheap prices.
- Cherng Doi Roast Chicken: Famous for roast chicken and sticky rice (served with a yummy sauce!) as well as their papaya salads. Their mushroom tom yam soup is good too (and vegetarian).
- Chang Phueak Pork Leg (aka “Cowboy Lady”): We heard of this street food stand (located by the north gate of Old City) through one of Anthony Bourdain’s shows (R.I.P.) and it’s fun to pay a visit to this street food lady who famously wears a cowboy hat!
- FYI: It is a very small menu with basically a few options for one dish — stewed pork leg and rice. I do not believe there are any veg options.
- Home J Vegan & Teaw J**: Super cheap Thai vegan place where you pick 3 dishes to be served over rice. The woman who owns this small restaurant is sweet and does a lot of “mock meat s”.
- Maya Mall food court: There are actually some pretty decent options (at great prices) on the basement floor of Maya Mall.
- Our favorite is the vegetarian stand, Imjai Vegan**. If you like mushrooms, be sure to ask for a serving. The are amazing! The people who work at this stall are so sweet, and you’ll get a big portion for a small price (around 40 baht).
- Funky Grill: Always packed with young Thai couples and friend groups, this joint serves skewers of grilled veggies and meat for a cheap price. Wash it down with a cold beer!
- Tip: Order your skewers “less spicy” (you’ll select your preference on a piece of paper where you place your order). We love spicy food, but this is next-level spicy! Oh, and if you eat pork, the bacon-wrapped mushrooms are super tasty!
- Street Food @ One Nimman*: Street Food Style Food Court area with lots of choices!
Our favorite cafes
- Free Bird Cafe**: Non-profit vegan cafe with a zero waste and thrift shop inside.
- Gallery Seescape*: Super tasty meals that are healthy and have lots of veggies. Our favorites are: chicken & roast veggie salad, veggie rice bowl, deconstructed massaman beef sandwich, and eggs Benedict. I ordered a smoothie bowl once and was disappointed, as it was really runny.
- Manifreshto*: This tiny cafe is one of our favorite places for healthy smoothies (they’re amazing!) and decadent (Western) breakfasts. Many of the breakfast options include meat, but you can make substitutions (for mushrooms or egg).
- Imm Aim Vegetarian and Bike Cafe**: Vegetarian restaurant with tons of Thai dishes.
- Blue Diamond**: Located in a quiet part of Old City, has a big vegetarian menu and lots of yummy desserts.
Other favorites
- Food 4 Thought*: Huge menu with Western options, and everything is made from scratch. We think the best thing on the menu are their (huge!) salads (Citrus Chicken, Zorba, and Cobb are some favorites). Oh, and try their carrot cake too!
- RAWtruckr: If you like Korean fried chicken, this food truck is a good choice. Sit in the courtyard, and enjoy.
- Tip: In the same courtyard space is a wine shop (Wine Lover by Pao) that has lots of options (as well as a decently priced house wine available in carafes). Wine is not always easy to find in Asia, so if you like vino, keep this little shop in mind!
- Salsa Kitchen*: Best Mexican food we’ve found in Chiang Mai. Good margs too, and lots of vegetarian and vegan options.
- The Salad Concept*: If you’re craving a big (and cheap) salad, this is a good option. There are lots of menu items including breakfast, wraps, Thai dishes, and specialty salads, but we’d recommend the “build your own salad”. You get 5 toppings and a homemade dressing for 69 baht; most other places that serve fresh salads charge quite a bit more. They also have lots of smoothies and juices to choose from.
- Tip: There are tons of topping and dressing options to choose from — some better than others — and it does take a little experimenting to come up with a good combo. (We like the creamy sesame and Japanese soy dressings.)
- Cat House*: Mix of Western and Thai food on the east side of Old City. Lots of veg options.
- Beast Burger: If you’re craving a burger, this is one of the best you’ll find in all of Chiang Mai.
- Adirak Pizza*: A bit out of the way, but this place has the best pizza we’ve had in Asia.
- Accha*: If you’re craving Indian food, this place will satisfy! It is on the more expensive side, but portions are big, and the food is delish!
- Namaste Indian Cuisine* is another good choice for Indian, and it’s cheaper, but not as nice of an atmosphere.
- Ninja Ramen: Big selection of many different types of ramen.
- Ai Sushi and Tsunami Sushi Bar: Two of our favorite spots for sushi. Ai Sushi has a larger menu, while Tsunami is cheaper.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
There are plenty of amazing hotels in Chiang Mai. If you’re looking for the best place to stay during a short visit, we’d recommend finding accommodation near Tha Phae Gate (the east part of the Old City or just outside).
If you are planning to spend some time living in Chiang Mai as a digital nomad, we’d recommend looking for accommodation in the Nimman neighborhood.
For more detailed information on the different neighborhoods, plus lots of hotel and Airbnb recommendations, we put together an entire article for travelers trying to figure out where to stay in Chiang Mai.
What to pack for your trip to Thailand
We know it can be overwhelming packing for a trip to a new destination. That’s why we spent hours creating this super helpful PDF just for you.
In this free SE Asia packing list PDF download, we’ve provided packing checklists for everything from clothing and toiletries (for both women and men!) to what shoes to pack and extra medicines you may want to have on-hand just in case.
Plus, we’re sharing tons of packing hacks and tips for traveling in SE Asia that you won’t find anywhere else!
Plan your trip to Thailand
After several trips to Thailand (and couple stints living in Chiang Mai), we’ve created TONS of helpful resources to make planning your Thailand adventure stress-free and fun. Start with our Thailand Travel Homepage and be sure to check out these helpful articles:
- Wondering when to go? This guide to the best time to visit Thailand breaks down seasons, weather, and festivals.
- Use our 2-week island-hopping itinerary to explore the best beaches and islands without the guesswork.
- Don’t leave without trying these delicious Thai dishes—from spicy classics to lesser-known local favorites.
- This guide to sustainable travel in Thailand shows you how (and why it matters!).
- Here are the top things to do in Bangkok—from markets to temples to rooftop bars.
- Our list of things to do in Chiang Mai covers culture, nature, and everything in between.
- Dreaming of island life? Our ultimate guides to Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, and Koh Lipe will help you decide which island(s) fit your vibe.
Don’t miss your chance to grab our Chiang Mai Map!
Get our custom map sent straight to your phone! We loaded this map with all our favorite restaurants, cafes, hidden gems, temples and more, so you can make the most of your time in Chiang Mai.
Just enter your email and we’ll immediately send you access instructions!
Save this article to Pinterest for later!
We want to hear from you!
Was this Chiang Mai travel guide helpful? Are you planning a trip to Chiang Mai and still have questions? Leave your comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you with the answers you’re looking for!