Chiang Mai is a large city in the north of Thailand, known for its historical old town but also the nature and activities surrounding the city. Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for those backpacking, and for good reason. They have elephant sanctuaries, national parks, waterfalls, impressive temples, great night markets and fun backpacker nightlife. Chiang Mai is also a major transport hub for other backpacking destinations in northern Thailand, such as Pai and Chiang Rai. This guide will cover a bit of everything, like how to get there, where to stay in Chiang Mai, nightlife and things to do!
How many days to spend in Chiang Mai
There are so many different activities you can do in and around Chiang Mai City. You could easily spend a week here and do something different every day. It really depends on your interests and how much time you have. The other important thing to keep in mind is a lot of popular backpacking activities in Chiang Mai take up the greater part of a day, as you have to get transport out of the city. Popular activities like Thai Secret Cooking School, visiting an elephant sanctuary and Doi Inthanon National Park are all essentially full-day activities.
I would recommend spending no less than three full days backpacking in Chiang Mai, but those will be jam-packed days. If you can, five days would be the perfect amount to see a lot of the city itself. This would allow you to do many activities outside of Chiang Mai at not too rushed of a pace.
How to get to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is located in the north of Thailand and is easily accessible from many places. You can get to Chiang Mai by plane, train or bus. Most people backpacking will come to Chiang Mai from either Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Pai or Ayutthaya. It is also possible to get to Chiang Mai from other places in Thailand, but you will either have to fly direct to Chiang Mai or go via Bangkok. You can book all overland transport online on 12GOAsia here.
How to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok
From Bangkok, you can fly to Chiang Mai if you are short on time. There are direct flights that cost around 685 THB Thai Baht($20 USD) With Vietjet for the 1.5-hour flight. Alternatively, night buses and trains run regularly between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The trains are generally more comfortable as you can get sleeper sites that are basically beds, whereas the bus seats only recline to a 90-degree angle. The sleeper seats on the trains do tend to book out a day or two (or even more around popular times) in advance. For full information on sleeper trains and which class to book, check out my Thailand transport guide here.
Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai via train
Trains depart daily from Bangkok to Chiang Mai at 9 am, 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 8 pm and 10:50 pm. Trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station in Bangkok (also called Bang Sue). Make sure you allow plenty of time to get from your hostel to the train station as there is often traffic. The actual train journey takes 10-14 hours, depending on which train departure time you select. There are multiple seat types on every train. If you’re travelling during the day, you can get away with a normal seat that doesn’t recline.
For a night train, most people backpacking will select a “second class sleeper with AC” to get to Bangkok. This seat type means you get an airconditioned carriage and a seat that converts to a full bed with blankets and pillows in a shared carriage (but you have a privacy curtain). Expect to pay around 700 THB Thai Baht ($20 USD) for this seat type. There is only one train station in Chiang Mai, and it is around 10 minute’s drive out of the city, so you will need to get a bus, Tuk Tuk or Grab to your hostel.
Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai via bus
During the day, buses depart regularly from 6 am- 4 pm. For overnight buses, they depart from 6 pm-10:30 pm and 30-minute intervals. Buses depart from different terminals around Bangkok, including Mochit, Nakhonchai Air Station and a travel agency near Khao San Road. Make sure you book the station closest to where you are staying (if possible!). The night buses are pretty comfortable as they have reclinable chairs, give you blankets and pillows, have toilets on board and sometimes even provide food. The journey takes around 10 hours.
Expect to pay around 433-660 THB Thai Baht ($12.60-19 USD) depending on whether you go for a day bus or a night bus. The bus will arrive at the main bus terminal in Chiang Mai, which is about 10 minutes drive out of town. On your ticket, it will say the departure point is Chiang Mai Terminal 3, Chiang Mai Aracade 2 or Nakhonchai Air Terminal. These are all next to each other within a 2-minute walk, so it really doesn’t matter what your ticket says.
How to get to Chiang Mai from Pai
This is a super popular route for those backpacking to get to Chiang Mai. Vans depart daily from 6:30 am every hour until 5:30 pm. The journey takes 3.5 hours from the Pai Bus Terminal in the town centre to Chiang Mai Arcade 2 Bus Terminal. The ticket costs 135 THB Thai Baht ($4 USD) and can be purchased online at 12GOAsia or from the bus station. When you arrive in Chiang Mai, you must arrange onward transport to your hostel, which will likely be a minimum of 10 minutes’ drive away. There are plenty of Tuk Tuks, Taxis and Grabcars waiting at the terminal, so you shouldn’t have any trouble with this.
How to get to Chiang Mai from Chiang Rai
Regular buses are departing from Chiang Rai to get to Chiang Mai daily. Buses depart every 30 minutes to an hour from 7:30 am to 6 pm. The journey takes 3-4.5 hours, depending on the traffic conditions. The bus departs from Chiang Rai Terminal 1, which is right in the centre of town next to the night market. Most hostels are within walking distance of this terminal. The bus will arrive at Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3, where you must get onward transport into Chiang Mai City. Expect to pay between 160- 230 THB Thai Baht ($4.50-$6.50 USD) for the journey.
How to get to Chiang Mai from Ayutthaya
To get to Chiang Mai from Ayutthaya, you must either catch a day train or a sleeper train. There is one day train departing at 9:50 am and arriving in Chiang Mai at 7:30 pm. The journey can take anywhere between 9 hours and 12 hours, depending on how many stations the train stops at. Tickets can be anywhere from 160-450 THB Thai Baht ($4.50-$13 USD) depending on seat type (e.g. 3rd class fan or 2nd class AC seats).
There are night train options departing at 3:20 pm (arriving very early in the morning), 7:45 pm, 9 pm and 11:30 pm. The sleeper trains always take at least 12 hours, sometimes more. For a second-class sleeper AC ticket (the recommended ticket type for a night train), it will cost around 722 THB Thai Baht ($21 USD). For the differences between sleeper train ticket types, please see my post on Thailand transport here.
How to get around Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a large city with many ways to get around. There is not much in terms of public transport, but there are Songthaews which is a local shared van transfer. There are also Tuk Tuks, and there is Grab in Chiang Mai. For many activities outside of the city, like elephant sanctuaries and cooking classes, you will be picked up from your hostel or other pickup point in Old Town.
Getting around Chiang Mai on foot
If you are staying in or around the Old Town of Chiang Mai, many sights will be walkable. Places like the Night Bazaar, popular temples, museums, bars, cafes and restaurants will be walkable. There is a bit of traffic in Chiang Mai, particularly around the square road surrounding Old Town. Crossing the road can be a game of chicken; you have to cross and then let the scooters and cars divert around you. It feels very safe to walk around Chiang Mai alone, even at night.
Getting around Chiang Mai by Songthaew
A Songthaew is basically a truck where the back has been converted into two long seats to carry people around, much like a taxi or bus. They are a common method of transport around South East Asia and are generally pretty affordable. Songthaews are cruising around Old Town, which you can hail down, and they wait at bus and train stations. They do not run along a fixed route, so make sure you tell the driver where you need to go. Songthaews will pick up passengers on the way as well, so you may end up going a roundabout route to your destination.
If you are only one person, the Songthaew driver may wait and try to pick up more passengers to make the drive and fee worth it for him. Drivers will try to squeeze as many people into the vehicle as possible, even if it means your luggage goes on the roof or people are left hanging onto the back. Songthaews have no set price and can charge whatever they want; you should never pay more than 100 THB Thai Baht ($2.80 USD) for a 15-minute journey.
Getting around Chiang Mai by Grab or Tuk Tuk
Another way to get around is by Grab or Tuk Tuks. Grab is the Uber of South East Asia, and there are many Grab cars in Chiang Mai. There are also Tuk Tuks cruising around Chiang Mai and parked at many tourist sights and locations. Tuk Tuks are open-air three-wheeled motorised vehicles that can fit 3-4 people in them. You will need to haggle with Tuk Tuks to get a reasonable price. Read my guide to haggling (including haggling for Tuk Tuks) here.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a massive city itself, with the centre of it being Chiang Mai Old Town. The Old Town is a walled city surrounded by a moat. Ideally, you want a stay in a hostel either inside the walled city or just outside of it. That way, you are within walking distance of temples, night markets and nightlife. The area to the east of Chiang Mai Old Town, just near Tha Phae Gate, is the most convenient place to stay for those backpacking, from my experience. There are also heaps of great hostels in this area. You can book all accommodation online here.
Stamps Hostel– best social hostel
This is one of the best social hostels in the whole of South East Asia! Pre-warning, you must book a few days in advance to stay here as they are super popular and will book out. They are located just near Tha Phae Gate (outside of the walls) but close walking distance to everything. Stamps do nightly activities like a pub crawl and trivia, and they take you out to the night markets and cabaret as a group. The common area downstairs is a bar, so it does have a bit more of a party vibe but more of a social party vibe. The beds are bunks, but they are sectioned off with walls in between, so you have a bit of privacy. Some room types have aircon, and some have fans only, but both room types were super comfortable!
Common Hostel– best flashpacker hostel
The Common Hostel is the best flashpacker hostel in Chiang Mai. They are located within the walled city (so super close to everything), but they are a bit pricier than the average hostel. The beds are pod-style with proper duvets and pillows, so you are guaranteed a great night’s sleep. They offer a free breakfast every day and all day free coffee and tea refills. The Common Hostel is also a digital nomad-friendly hostel with lots of quiet seating and desk areas downstairs. The only downside is it is a little ticker to meet people as they don’t host events, and the common area is used as a quiet co-working space.
Bodega Hostel– best budget hostel
Bodega Hostel is an established hostel chain in Thailand, with Chiang Mai being one of the newer hostels they’ve opened. It’s in a really good location, outside the city walls, but close to Tha Phae Gate and Stamps Hostel. The rooms are basic (no curtains and not pod style) but clean. They have a pool and bar area on site in the reception area as well. If you’re looking for an affordable dorm room within walking distance of everything, this is one of the best options in Chiang Mai for those backpacking on a budget!
What to do in Chiang Mai
There are a lot of things to do in Chiang Mai; most of the activities are outdoor and are out of the city and need to be travelled to. By far, the most popular backpacking activity to do in Chiang Mai is to visit an elephant sanctuary, but there are so many other great things you can do in Chiang Mai.
Elephant Nature Park
If you do one thing in Chiang Mai, it should be to visit an elephant sanctuary. And if you are visiting an elephant sanctuary, the ONLY ethical sanctuary is Elephant Nature Park. Other sanctuaries claim to be ethical, but they still include activities like forcing the elephants to pose for photos and bathing the elephants. At Elephant Nature Park, you’ll get to see and walk with elephants who are roaming around freely. There’s no bathing, not too much touching of the elephants allowed, and nobody forces elephants to do anything they don’t want to do.
It costs 2500 THB Thai Baht ($70 USD) for a day trip which includes return transfers, a tour guide and lunch. Strongly recommend booking online direct on their website as many “copycat” sanctuaries are not ethical, and travel agencies may book for you instead. You may have to book in advance, particularly during peak season.
Cooking Class
If you’re going to do a cooking class anywhere in Thailand, let it be the famous Thai Secret Cooking School in Chiang Mai. This is definitely an activity you should book in advance as it is extremely popular and has limited availability. The experience runs from 8:30 am until 4 pm daily (closed on Sundays). It costs 1200 THB Thai Baht ($34 USD) per person. This includes return transfers from Chiang Mai, a local market visit, a herb garden tour, cooking and eating five dishes and a take-home cookbook. The class is set in the rice fields, so the views are stunning. They can cater to virtually all dietary requirements and allergies just let them know on your booking form. Highly recommend booking direct on their website here, as there are many Thai cooking schools with similar names.
Explore Chiang Mai Old City
You can visit all these sights in one day as they are all close together, but it will be a jam-packed day of walking. If you have the time, splitting this between two days will allow you to explore at a relaxed pace, particularly after busy days doing the cooking class and visiting an elephant sanctuary. A lot of these sights are religious sights, so you will need to cover your shoulders, knees, and stomach and not wear anything low-cut or see-through. Depending on where you are, you might visit these sights in a different order.
I walked from Stamps Hostel in the east of Chiang Mai and visited the sights in this order:
- Wat Chiang Man. A super impressive golden 13th-century temple
- Wat Phra Singh. A really impressive temple complex with a golden chedi and stunning buildings.
- Chiang Mai National Museum. A museum highlighting the history of Lanna Kingdom (the cultural group that founded Chiang Mai when it was its own kingdom before joining Thailand). It costs 90 THB Thai Baht ($2.50 USD) to enter.
- Three Kings Monument and Lanna Culture Museum. A monument between the two museums dedicated to the founding fathers of Chiang Mai. The Lanna Culture Museum exhibits different Lanna art forms, such as sculptures, music, murals and textiles. It also costs 90 THB Thai Baht ($2.50 USD) to enter.
- Wat Chedi Luang. A historic Buddhist temple famous for the practice of monk chat. Monk chat is an opportunity to have an informal chat with a monk and ask them about their life. The monks will also ask you questions as a chance to practise their English and for cultural exchange. Monk chats are free, but donations are always welcome.
- Tha Phae Gate. An important meeting place and an example of the old historic walls and gates of Chiang Mai. There are hundreds of pigeons as well as street performers. It’s a great place for people-watching!
Cat Brothers Cafe
A great wet weather activity in Chiang Mai! Cat Brothers Cafe is a cute cat cafe in the northern part of the walled historic city. It costs 95 THB Thai Baht ($2.50 USD) to enter, which includes a free drink and a small container of cat treats to feed to all the cats.
Where to eat in Chiang Mai
There is no shortage of good food in Chiang Mai, from night markets to cafes to restaurants. The one food you need to try in Chiang Mai is a famous dish of their city called Khao Soi (and I have a killer recommendation of where to try it).
The Night Bazaar
The night bazaar is a popular night market in Chiang Mai to the city’s east. It is open every night from 5 pm to midnight. It is busier and better on Saturday and Sunday nights!
Hideout Cafe
The Hideout is a cute little cafe tucked away down a small street to the east of Chiang Mai. They have a cute little garden area, as well as indoor seating. They serve great brunch foods; their French toast and spicy chicken baguette are recommended to try!
Stories
If you’re looking for a nice cafe to chill and people-watch, then Stories is for you. It is located on a busy corner just inside the Tha Phae Gate. They have outdoor and indoor seating (with AC) and have a very extensive breakfast and lunch menu.
Grazie
The name is a bit misleading, but Grazie is one of the best Thai food restaurants in Old Town Chiang Mai. The food is delicious but still really reasonably priced. Be warned, you may have to queue, as it is extremely popular.
Arroydee
Just next to Grazie is another great Thai food restaurant. The food is really good and reasonably priced, but it can be a bit of a wait for food as it is so popular.
Kat’s Kitchen
Last but not least, this is the best Khao Soi in town! Unfortunately, everyone knows this is the best Khao Soi in town, so there is often a bit of a queue. Khao Soi is a dish you have to try at least once in Chiang Mai.
Nightlife in Chiang Mai
Given how big the city is, there is no shortage of nightlife in Chiang Mai.
Lady Boy Cabaret
This is a must-do backpacking activity in Chiang Mai! The Lady Boy Cabaret is a famous drag show that everyone will enjoy. It is located in the Night Bazaar, with the show starting nightly at 9:30 pm. It costs 350 THB Thai Baht ($10 USD) to enter, including one free drink. Photography is allowed and encouraged, and you can purchase more drinks from the bar if you wish. The show is really fun, and there’s a lot of crowd participation. It usually goes for around 90 minutes, and most people head to Zoe in Yellow after.
Zoe in Yellow
Zoe in Yellow is a well-known backpacker nightlife spot! They have a large beer garden out the back and a fun dancefloor. There are a number of other bars and clubs around Zoe in Yellow, so you can bar hop around to whichever one tickles your fancy. Some have beer pong tables, karaoke machines and neon face painting. The whole street/alley is basically like one big party.
Did you find this blog post helpful? Want to see more travel tips and recommendations? Join me on Tik Tok and Instagram for daily travel content!
This blog is a free and independent source of information for all things travel and backpacking. If you benefitted from the information on this blog, please consider using the affiliate links to book hostels/activities etc. This will be at no extra cost to you but helps subsidise the cost of running a free travel blog.
