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Travel guide
Chiang Mai
4 days · 5 things to do
Best time to go: November to February
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Welcome
Chiang Mai, in a few days
Chiang Mai means temples in the old city, Doi Suthep above the rooftops and time with elephants at an ethical sanctuary. Northern Thailand is calmer and greener than the south, and made for trekking.
- Day by day
- D1 Day 1 2 things
- D2 Day 2 1 thing
- D3 Day 3 1 thing
- D4 Day 4 1 thing
- Worth sorting before you go
- Words that help
- The practical page
- Packing checklist
The trip
Day by day
Map of the sights (numbers follow the suggested order). It prints with the base map.
D1
Day 1
2 things to do · at your own pace
- Morning · Doi Suthep · about 1 h 30The mountain west of the city, topped by the temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, reached by a long naga-lined staircase with city views.
- Afternoon · The old city and its temples free · half a dayThe square old city inside its moat holds dozens of temples, among them the ruined great chedi of Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Rimping Village ↗ · All places to stay by budget →€60 a night
D2
Day 2
1 thing to do · at your own pace
- All day · An elephant sanctuary · a full dayChoose a sanctuary where you watch, feed and walk with rescued elephants, with no riding and no shows.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Rimping Village ↗€60 a night
D3
Day 3
1 thing to do · at your own pace
- Evening · The night market free · an eveningThe Night Bazaar fills the streets east of the old city every evening, and the Sunday Walking Street takes over the old city itself.
🛏️ Where to sleep · Rimping Village ↗€60 a night
D4
Day 4
1 thing to do · at your own pace
- All day · Trekking in the mountains · a full dayGuided treks of one to several days through forested hills, staying in hill tribe villages along the way.
Before you go
Worth sorting before you go
📶 eSIM data
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly
🛡️ Travel insurance
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta
💳 Fee-free card
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut
🚐 Airport transfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer
Some links are partner links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Good to know
Flavours & local habits
🍽️ Worth tasting
- Pad thai: fried noodles with tamarind and crushed peanuts, the street dish everyone starts on.
- Tom yum: hot and sour prawn soup, sharp with lemongrass and lime.
- Green or red curry: coconut milk poured over a paste pounded that morning.
- Mango sticky rice: sweet glutinous rice, ripe mango and coconut cream.
- Som tam: shredded green papaya pounded with chilli. Ask for it mild and mean it.
⚠️ Best avoided
- Ignore the tuk-tuk driver who tells you a temple is closed and offers to take you somewhere better.
- Agree the tuk-tuk fare before you get in, or insist on the meter in a taxi.
- Do not drink the tap water. Ice with a hole through it is factory made and fine.
- Temples ask for covered shoulders and knees. Carry something to put on at the door.
Getting by
Words that help
English ↔ Thai
| English | Thai |
|---|---|
| Hello | สวัสดี (sawasdee) |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณ (khop khun) |
| Please | กรุณา (karuna) |
| Yes | ใช่ (chai) |
| No | ไม่ (mai) |
| Excuse me | ขอโทษ (kho thot) |
| Goodbye | ลาก่อน (laa kon) |
| Do you speak English? | พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม (phut angkrit dai mai?) |
| I don't understand | ไม่เข้าใจ (mai khao jai) |
| How much is it? | เท่าไหร่ (thao rai?) |
| Where are the toilets? | ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน (hong nam yu thi nai?) |
| The bill, please | เช็คบิล (chek bin) |
| Help! | ช่วยด้วย (chuay duay!) |
| Cheers! | ไชโย (chai yo!) |
The essentials
The practical page
CurrencyThai baht (THB, ฿)
BudgetAbout €40 a day, mid-range
Best seasonNovember to February
PlugA/B/C · 230V
Tap waterBottled only
TippingRound up, or 10%
Emergency191 / 1669
Entry30 days visa-free for tourism with a passport for EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens, down from 60 days since 15 September 2026; an extension can be requested at an immigration office. Everyone must also fill in the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online in the three days before arrival.
HealthHepatitis A and typhoid are recommended. Malaria only in a few rural border areas, so ask about your route. Dengue is present: use repellent, day and night.
Scan to open this guide online, always up to date.
https://offwegooo.com/en/guides/chiang-mai
Don't forget
Packing checklist
Have a good trip.
Guide made on offwegooo.com · Photos via Pexels · Details are indicative, check before you leave.