Full Disclosure: This is a travel newbie’s guide to Chiang Mai.
This is the beginning of a new adventure, as I leave the comforts of the great white north, in favour of southeast Asia.
While there was an abundance of travel guides for Chiang Mai, I was quite overwhelmed with all the research it took to plan this trip. It was a classic case of analysis paralysis. So I put this concise guide together, with just the bare essentials of planning and navigating your first trip to Chiang Mai.
How to get to Chiang Mai
In the lush, mountainous northern Thailand lies Chiang Mai. The city of Chiang Mai is northern Thailand’s largest city and was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom.
There are many ways to get to Chiang Mai. During this trip, I flew directly into Chiang Mai International Airport. If you’re heading up from Bangkok, taking a flight directly to Chiang Mai is probably the easiest option.
Or if you want to travel slowly and take the time to enjoy the journey, you could opt to take the train or a bus. Set out and travel during the day if you’d like to take in the sights of the Thai countryside. Or take an overnight train or bus and get some shuteye. I often used 12Go to check for train and bus schedules and prices. Otherwise you could also go to a travel centre and have them book everything for you for a small fee.
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
Old City: There isn’t a shortage of things to see or do in the Old City. While it can be a bit touristy and busy it is also a very convenient location with affordable guesthouses, boutique stores and Thai massage shops. You’re within walking distance to amazing food, temples and markets.
Nimman Road: Found just north of CNX, Nimman road is known to be the trendy part of Chiang Mai. From shopping malls to modern hotels and lively nightlife, Nimman has everything that attracts many young travellers. This is perhaps why Nimman Road is very popular among digital nomads.
Night Bazaar: Just outside the the Old City, Night Bazaar runs Chiang Mai’s largest night market every single night. Here you’ll find all sorts of options for accommodations from budget guesthouses to fancy hotels. While there aren’t many cultural attractions in Night Bazaar, it is easy to get to the Old City from here.
If you’re looking for last minute accommodations, AirBnB and Agoda have been my go-to throughout Southeast Asia. If you’re considering using AirBnB, sign-up through my AirBnB link and get a discount on your first booking, and in turn I also get credit from AirBnb. It’s a win-win situation and is absolutely at no additional cost to you. And the small commission I get for referring you will help pay for accommodations and keep this website going.
How to get Around in Chiang Mai
From Chiang Mai International Airport, we took a mini bus (which is actually a white van) to our hostel. This cost 40 baht per person, which I thought was a fair fare. A drawback though is that you have to wait until the van is full. The driver decides on the route, depending on where everyone else is headed. If you’re grumpy from a long flight and just want to get to your hotel, maybe that’s something to consider.
Tuktuks
An iconic mode of transportation in Thailand. This is an auto rickshaw used as public transportation. While I think a tuktuk ride is an experience you have to try in Thailand, note that tuktuks are not the cheapest mode of transportation–especially not for unsuspecting tourists. So before you hop on, ask for the price and maybe even try to haggle down. One of my first newbie mistake was getting on a tuktuk and quickly agreeing on a 150 baht ride home without haggling.
Songthaew
Often called red cars or red taxi. You can either hire a Songthaew privately for a higher price or shared with other commuters, where the driver stops to let other passengers on. Unlike buses though, songthaews don’t follow a set route. They’re a popular and economical way to get around Chiang Mai. It costs 30 baht per person for a ride anywhere within the city.
Walking
To be fair, I stayed in the Old City, where a lot of temples, markets, eateries and points of interest were within a reasonable walking distance. But I am also a lazy, sedentary person and I walked nearly everyday thought my stay in Chiang Mai. Aided with a smartphone or a map, it’s easy to find your way around the Old City. There’s also always someone willing to help you figure out the way, should you get lost. For real, humans can be amazing if you give them a chance. (That being said, you should always be cautious of overly friendly strangers. Don’t get suckered into a tourist trap.)
And that’s it, my first-timer’s guide to Chiang Mai. I truly hope it helps you jumpstart your plans to visit Chiang Mai, because it really is a beautiful city. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
