Cheap flights to Chiang Mai
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Quick summary
Country
Thailand
Continent
Asia
Airport
CNX
Currency
Thai baht
Time zone
UTC+7
Deals already spotted to Chiang Mai
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Northern Thailand
Things to do in Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of the North
The list of things to do in Chiang Mai starts with its history. Chiang Mai, the "new city", was founded at the end of the 13th century by King Mangrai as the capital of the Lanna kingdom, taking over from Chiang Rai. Its walled, moated old town sits on a plain at about 300 m, surrounded by mountains, with the Ping River on its eastern side. It is a slower, cooler counterpoint to Bangkok and the beaches, about 700 km to the north.
A city of temples and crafts
Temples are the signature of Chiang Mai: 117 Buddhist temples stand in the central Mueang district alone. Since 2017 the city has been a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art.
Lanna kingdom
A capital founded in the 1290s
Chiang Mai was founded by King Mangrai at the end of the 13th century as the capital of the Lanna kingdom. Burmese rule began in the mid-16th century and lasted until the city joined the Siamese realm in 1774.
A distinct identity
This history explains the strong Lanna culture still visible in temple architecture, festivals, crafts and a cuisine very different from the centre and south of Thailand.
Inside the walls
Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man and Wat Phra Singh
The old city holds the great names, inside a moat and the remains of the old walls; it is easily explored on foot, by bike or by songthaew. Wat Chedi Luang is dominated by a massive chedi, partly ruined and reconstructed, dated to 1454; foreigners pay a small entry fee.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees in temples, and take your shoes off before entering the halls.
| Temple | What sets it apart |
|---|---|
| Wat Phra Singh | Probably the city's best-known temple, with mural paintings and the revered Phra Singh image |
| Wat Chedi Luang | Built in the 14th century, famed for its partly collapsed chedi |
| Wat Chiang Man | Described as the oldest temple in the city, linked to the founding of the town |
| Wat Suan Dok | A large complex with a big whitewashed chedi, just west of the moat |
On the mountain
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the emblem of Chiang Mai
High on the Doi Suthep-Pui massif west of the city, at 1,073 m, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep shines with a gold-plated chedi 24 m tall. It lies roughly 15 km north-west of the old town, under an hour away. Legend says a white elephant carrying a relic of the Buddha climbed the mountain, trumpeted three times and died here, marking the site of the first stupa in 1383.
309 steps or the Monk's Trail
A staircase of 309 steps, lined with what is described as the longest naga balustrade in Thailand, leads to the temple. You can also take the tram, or walk up through the forest on the Monk's Trail. The first road up the mountain only opened in 1935. On the same slopes, the gardens of Bhubing Palace are open to visitors.
Museums
Lanna history, art and curiosities
| Place | Why go |
|---|---|
| Chiang Mai Historical Centre | A multimedia presentation of the city's history, in the old town |
| Chiang Mai National Museum | The history of the region and the Lanna kingdom |
| Highland Peoples Discovery Museum | The hill peoples of the north, with an open-air section |
| Lanna Traditional House Museum | Traditional wooden houses of northern Thailand |
| Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders | Butterflies, beetles and minerals, an unusual museum |
Opening days and hours vary from museum to museum: check them before you go.
Festivals
Yi Peng and Loy Krathong on the same night
Lanterns in the sky, baskets on the river
Chiang Mai is the one place where the national Loy Krathong, with its floating baskets, and the northern Lanna festival of Yi Peng, with its sky lanterns, or khom loi, are celebrated on the same full-moon night, usually in November. In February the Flower Festival and in mid-April Songkran, the Thai New Year, are the other big dates.
Khao soi and markets
Eat like a northerner
Khao soi is the city's iconic dish: a coconut-curry noodle soup combining boiled and crispy fried egg noodles, topped with pickled mustard greens, shallots, lime and chilli oil. It was brought by Chin Haw caravan traders, Yunnanese Muslims, which is why it is usually made with chicken or beef rather than pork.
| Market | When and what |
|---|---|
| Night Bazaar | Every evening on Chang Khlan Road, for crafts, leather, textiles and street food |
| Sunday Walking Street | Sunday evening, from Tha Phae Gate |
| Saturday Walking Street | Saturday evening, on Wualai Road, in the silverware quarter |
| Warorot Market | The local market and a songthaew hub |
Hands-on
Cooking classes, massage schools and Muay Thai
Chiang Mai is the place to learn: Thai cooking classes, Thai massage schools and Muay Thai. Specialty cafes run by local roasters, hill trekking and Chiang Mai Zoo, with more than 400 species, complete the picture for families and outdoor lovers.
Elephants
If you want to see elephants, choose a sanctuary that avoids riding and shows, and be wary of places that call themselves ethical without being so.
Doi Inthanon
Thailand's highest point, about 60 km away
Doi Inthanon National Park, declared in 1972 as Thailand's sixth national park, culminates at 2,565 m, the highest point in the country. Its cloud forest and sphagnum bogs shelter 383 bird species, and its waterfalls include Mae Klang, Wachirathan, Siriphum and Mae Ya. It makes an easy day trip from the city.
Around Chiang Mai
Day trips and escapes
| Destination | Distance or time | What to see |
|---|---|---|
| Doi Inthanon | About 60 km, a full day | Thailand's highest peak, waterfalls and cloud forest |
| Pai | About 3 hours by road | A laid-back mountain town: waterfalls, hot springs and canyons |
| Lamphun | Nearby, south of the city | A quieter alternative for long stays, with temples and guesthouses |
| Chiang Rai | About 3 to 3.5 hours by bus | The White Temple and the northern hills |
Living here
A favourite base for digital nomads
A moderate cost of living for the region, coworking spaces and furnished flats in the Nimman area: Chiang Mai attracts travellers who stay several weeks or months.
Cost level
Costs are moderate, among the lowest of Thailand's big destinations: accommodation ranges from simple hostels to luxury hotels, and meals, shared transport, massages and temple entry fees stay modest.
Getting there
Chiang Mai International (CNX), minutes from the old town
Chiang Mai International
About 3 to 5 km south-west of the centre, 10 to 15 minutes by car depending on the source. Connected to Bangkok (about 70 minutes by air) and to several regional and international destinations.
| Route | Approximate time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Airport taxi | 10 to 15 min | Fixed fare to the city from the official counter |
| Shuttle minibus | 10 to 20 min, plus waiting | Drops you at your hotel, leaves when reasonably full |
| Ride-hailing (Grab, Bolt) | 10 to 15 min | Subject to availability; compare with the taxi |
| City bus | Depends on the line | A few air-conditioned routes serve the airport |
| Night train from Bangkok | About 12 to 15 hours | The station is about 3 km east of the centre; book ahead |
| Bus from Bangkok | About 9 to 11 hours | Departures from Bangkok's northern bus terminal |
Getting around
Songthaews, tuk-tuks and Grab
| Option | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Red songthaew | Shared truck, fixed fare inside the walls; negotiate outside them |
| Tuk-tuk | Agree the price first and beware of detours to commission shops |
| Grab or Bolt | Air-conditioned car, often cheaper than a tuk-tuk |
| City bus | Only a few routes |
| Rented scooter | Helmet compulsory, frequent checkpoints; best left to experienced riders |
| Bicycle | Handy in the old town, where everything is close |
When to go
Three seasons and one to avoid
Cool season, November to February
Dry, with cool nights: the best time, festivals included.
Hot season, March to June
April is the hottest month, and the time of Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival.
Wet season, July to October
Frequent rain, especially in August and September, and very green landscapes.
Burning season
From about February to April, agricultural burning in the north can severely degrade air quality and hide the mountains: best avoided if you are sensitive to pollution.
How long
How long to stay in Chiang Mai
The city
Old-town temples, Doi Suthep, a weekend market and a cooking class.
With the mountains
Add a day at Doi Inthanon and a responsible elephant sanctuary.
Base for the North
Chiang Mai as a starting point for Pai, Chiang Rai or a stay of several weeks.
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In pictures
Chiang Mai in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Chiang Mai
Which airport serves Chiang Mai, and how far is it from the centre?
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), about 3 to 5 km south-west of the centre, or 10 to 15 minutes by car. It is connected to Bangkok (about 70 minutes by air) and to several regional and international destinations.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
November to February, during the cool, dry season and the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals. Avoid the burning season, roughly February to April, if you are sensitive to air quality.
Is Chiang Mai expensive?
Not by Western standards. Songthaews and Grab rides are very cheap, and temple and museum entry fees are modest.
How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?
Three to five days: the old city temples, Doi Suthep, a cooking class, a weekend walking street and a day at Doi Inthanon.
How do I get up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep?
The temple is under an hour from the centre, and shared songthaews run there from the old town. You then climb the 309-step naga staircase, or take the tram.
How do I get around Chiang Mai?
By red songthaew, at a fixed fare inside the walls, by Grab or Bolt, or by bicycle in the old town; always agree a tuk-tuk price before getting in.
What should I eat in Chiang Mai?
Khao soi, the coconut-curry noodle soup, plus northern sausage (sai oua) and nam prik ong; the weekend walking streets and Warorot Market are good places to start.
How much does a flight to Chiang Mai usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Chiang Mai drops below my budget?
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