Chiang Mai, Thailand

Temples, cafés, and affordable slow travel.

Daily budget baseline: $40 USD. Relaxed SE Asia city stays

How much does a trip to Chiang Mai cost?

A practical midrange budget for Chiang Mai is about $40 USD per traveler per day. For a 7-day trip for two people, ground costs land around $438 USD before long-haul flights—usually cheapest in May, June, September, and October.

• Daily budget baseline: $40 USD / traveler
• 7 days for 2 people: ~$438 USD ground costs (2nd traveler ≈ 62% of daily rate, shared room)
• Usually cheapest: May, June, September, and October
• Busiest months: March, April, July, and August

Sample food prices

• Khao soi — avg $3.00 USD
• Sai ua — avg $3.00 USD
• Nam prik ong — avg $3.00 USD
• Gaeng hang lay — avg $4.00 USD
• Mango sticky rice — avg $2.50 USD

Ground-cost planning assumptions dated July 2026. Use the calculator to personalize origin, dates, and group size. See how group size affects cost.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?

Plan around January, February, November, and December for a smoother visit. Budget-minded trips lean toward May, June, September, and October, and March, April, July, and August is when demand—and often fares—spike.

What are the top things to do in Chiang Mai?

1. Old City Temples — Wat Phra Singh and neighboring wats.
2. Sunday Night Market — Walking street market through the old town.
3. Doi Suthep — Hilltop temple with city views.
4. Old City Moat — Walkable historic core and cafés.
5. Elephant Nature Park — Ethical elephant sanctuary day trip.

What's the food and dining like in Chiang Mai?

Must-try food in Chiang Mai usually includes Khao soi, Sai ua, Nam prik ong. Typical plates below help you budget meals before you go.

• Khao soi — Northern curry noodle soup. (avg $3.00)
• Sai ua — Herb-packed northern Thai sausage. (avg $3.00)
• Nam prik ong — Northern tomato-pork chili dip with vegetables. (avg $3.00)
• Gaeng hang lay — Northern Burmese-influenced pork curry. (avg $4.00)
• Mango sticky rice — Sweet coconut rice with ripe mango. (avg $2.50)

Estimate your Chiang Mai trip or open the general calculator