Chiang Mai from Australia: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Chiang Mai, when to go, the visa for Australians and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 21 Oct 2026.
Plan my Chiang Mai tripDay to day in Chiang Mai, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | A$11 | A$17 |
| A balanced mix | A$22 | A$27 |
| Mostly restaurants | A$37 | A$42 |
- Local transport: about A$5 a day. Taxi: A$2 to start, then A$0.27 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about A$12 a day for food.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: budgetyourtrip.com, livingcost.org, taxi-calculator.com; in AUD at today's rate.
When to go
26°F
29°M
32°A
34°M
31°J
29°J
28°A
27°S
27°O
26°N
25°D
24°
The most pleasant months are October to February. February is the driest month (5 mm of rain) and August the wettest (237 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit Thailand, place by placeCompare: Japan or Thailand · Thailand or Vietnam · Indonesia or Thailand · Thailand or Malaysia · Thailand or Cambodia · Thailand or Sri Lanka · Thailand or Greece · Mexico or Thailand
Visa for Australians
No visa needed for a holiday
Official source: smartraveller.gov.au, checked 2026-10-01. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in Chiang Mai
Wat Phra That Doi Sutheptemple · half a dayGo late afternoon for sunset views over the city
Wat Chedi Luangtemple · a couple of hours- Sunday Walking Street Marketmarket · a couple of hours
Sunday evenings only, from Tha Phae Gate along Ratchadamnoen Road
Chiang Mai Night Bazaarmarket · a couple of hours
Warorot Marketmarket · a couple of hours
Wat Umongtemple · a couple of hours- Monk's Trail hike to Wat Pha Lattrail · half a day
- Sticky Waterfall (Bua Tong)waterfall · half a day
Nong Buak Haad Parkpark · a couple of hoursOpen 05:00 to 21:00
- Ping River at Nawarat Bridgebridge · a couple of hours
Open November. Where krathongs are floated and the Grand Krathong Parade ends
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a 10-night trip to Chiang Mai cost from Australia?
About A$2,237 per person. Our planner priced 10 nights for 2 adults from Sydney, leaving 10 December 2026, at A$4,473 for both, home to home: flights, stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa. Priced on 2026-10-22; flight prices are estimates from recent fares.
How much does a day in Chiang Mai cost?
Food and getting around come to about A$17 a person a day eating street food, A$27 with a balanced mix and A$42 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
The most pleasant months are October to February. February is the driest month (5 mm of rain) and August the wettest (237 mm); daytime highs run from 24 to 34 °C over the year.
Do Australians need a visa for Thailand?
No visa needed for a holiday. Checked on smartraveller.gov.au on 2026-10-01; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in Chiang Mai?
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Sunday Walking Street Market, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Warorot Market.
A real 10-night trip from Sydney, priced by our planner
A$4,473 for 2 adults, home to home, about A$2,237 per person
Leaving 10 December 2026: flights, stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa.
Priced on 2026-10-22; flight prices are estimates from recent fares. Your own dates and budget change the total.
See this trip day by dayPlan my Chiang Mai trip