Chiang Mai from the UK: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Chiang Mai, when to go, the visa for British travellers 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 | £6 | £9 |
| A balanced mix | £12 | £15 |
| Mostly restaurants | £20 | £22 |
- Local transport: about £3 a day. Taxi: £1 to start, then £0.14 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about £6 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 GBP 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 · Australia or Thailand
Visa for British travellers
No visa needed for a holiday
Official source: gov.uk, 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 day in Chiang Mai cost?
Food and getting around come to about £9 a person a day eating street food, £15 with a balanced mix and £22 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 British travellers need a visa for Thailand?
No visa needed for a holiday. Checked on gov.uk 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.
Your whole Chiang Mai trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from the UK, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
Plan my Chiang Mai trip