Most Chiang Mai trips go well if you get three things right: the season, where you sleep and how you move around. November to February is cool and dry, March and April bring smoke from field burning, and June to October is green, wet in the afternoons and cheapest. The best time to visit page goes month by month. Getting around is easy: songthaews run fixed routes for 30 THB a ride and Grab reaches everywhere, including the mountain. The airport is about 10 minutes from the Old City and 15 minutes from Mae Hia, which makes a first or last night there simple. If you land late, see what is near the airport. The pages below cover transport, budget, safety and what to pack.
Plan Your Chiang Mai Trip
Chiang Mai travel tips that answer when to go, how to get around and what a day costs, with a month-by-month best time to visit guide and the airport transfer.
FAQ
How do I get from Chiang Mai airport to my hotel?
Take a Grab or the airport taxi. The Old City is about 10 minutes away and Mae Hia about 15.
Is Chiang Mai expensive?
No. Food, transport and rooms cost less than in Bangkok or on the islands.
When should I avoid Chiang Mai?
March and April, when smoke from field burning can make the air poor and hide the mountains.
Do I need cash in Chiang Mai?
Yes for markets, street food and songthaews. Hotels, malls and most cafes take cards or QR payment.