How Much Does Chiang Mai Cost per Day
A full breakdown of Chiang Mai prices: daily budgets by tier, every itemised cost from the guide, and where the money actually goes.
The short answer
Budget travellers in Chiang Mai spend around THB 1,200 a day. Mid-range travel runs closer to THB 3,000, and a splurge day lands around THB 7,000. Figures in THB per day, roughly CAD 45/115/265 or USD 33/85/195. Chiang Mai is noticeably cheaper than Bangkok or the islands for equivalent quality.
Daily cost breakdown
- Stay
- Food
- Transport
- Activities
| Tier | Stay | Food | Transport | Activities | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | THB 350 | THB 300 | THB 150 | THB 400 | THB 1,200 |
| Mid-range | THB 1,200 | THB 700 | THB 400 | THB 700 | THB 3,000 |
| Splurge | THB 3,500 | THB 1,800 | THB 1,000 | THB 700 | THB 7,000 |
Guesthouse dorm or basic room 350 THB, three street-food or market meals around 200-250 THB total, songthaew rides 60-100 THB, one paid attraction (temple entry or class) 200-500 THB. Mid-range swaps the guesthouse for a boutique hotel and adds Grab rides and sit-down meals.
Every priced item in this guide
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | ~40 THB foreigner entry; optional cable car ~20 THB each way (or climb the 300+ Naga staircase free) |
| Wat Chedi Luang | 40 THB foreigners, free for Thai nationals and kids under 12 |
| Wat Phra Singh | Grounds free; ~20 THB donation typically requested to enter Viharn Lai Kham |
| Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen Road) | free to browse |
| Chiang Mai Night Bazaar | free to browse |
| Elephant Nature Park | ~2,500 THB half-day, ~3,500 THB full-day (child/infant discounts apply) |
| Thai cooking class | roughly 700-1,500 THB for half/full day; premium hotel classes run much higher |
| Wat Umong (Forest Temple) | free, donations welcome |
| Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls | free entry |
| Doi Inthanon National Park | 300 THB foreigner adult entry, plus 30 THB car or 150 THB motorbike fee |
| Khao soi | THB 50-90 |
| Sai oua | THB 60-100 per portion |
| Nam prik noom | THB 60-120 |
| Gaeng hang lay | THB 80-150 |
| Sticky rice with mango | THB 50-100 |
| Kanom jeen nam ngiao | THB 30-50 |
| Khao kan jin | THB 30-50 |
| Muslim-Thai khao soi and roti | THB 50-80 |
How to spend less
- Eat at Warorot Market or Chang Phuak Gate night market instead of tourist-strip restaurants
- Walk the Old City instead of Grabbing between adjacent temples
- Book elephant sanctuary and cooking class direct with the operator, not through a hotel desk markup
- Stay in Santitham instead of Nimmanhaemin for the same city access at a lower nightly rate
- Use songthaews over Grab for short hops when you're not in a hurry
- Visit temples early morning to skip both crowds and the heat of the day