Is Chiang Mai Expensive?

Is Chiang Mai expensive to visit?

Chiang Mai is a fairly affordable travel destination with an average daily cost of $57. Compared to the rest of Asia, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability, comparable to places like Koh Pha Ngan and Da Nang.



Chiang Mai, Thailand

How expensive is Chiang Mai?

For a trip to Chiang Mai, travelers spend on average $57 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Chiang Mai here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Chiang Mai?

On average, a weekend trip to Chiang Mai costs about $170 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $341.


How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Chiang Mai?

A one week trip to Chiang Mai costs about $398 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $795.



Rice Fields near Chiang Mai

Is it expensive to backpack in Chiang Mai?

With more than 150 hostels around town, Chiang Mai is a very popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost around $10 per night. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $1 and the most expensive rooms costing about $24. (See hostel prices in Chiang Mai here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Chiang Mai.

  • $11 for a dorm bed at Stamps Backpackers
  • $13 for a dorm bed at Hostel Lullaby (Non-Smoking)
  • $6 for a dorm bed at Big&O's House 2

Are hotels expensive in Chiang Mai?

Examining hotel prices in Chiang Mai, we can see that they are very affordable when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $22. The city is equipped with about 17 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $92. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $21 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $24 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Chiang Mai
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 17 $92
4 stars 75 $61
3 stars 291 $21
2 stars 166 $24
1 star 11 $23
No rating 3 $31

296, 298 Charoen Muang Rd, Chiang Mai
Overall Rating 9.6
2 Samlan Rd, Tambon Sriphum, Muang, Chiang Mai
Overall Rating 9.4


Chiang Mai street vendor

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Chiang Mai?

In Chiang Mai, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $14 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $19.


Name Price
Elephant Nature Park ฿2500
Doi Inthanon National Park ฿300
The Saturday Night Market Free
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep ฿30
The Sunday Walking Street Free
Wat Pha Lat Free
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Free
Chiang Mai Night Safari ฿1600
Chiang Mai Zoo ฿350
The Sticky Waterfall Free
Wat Umong Free
The Chiang Mai National Museum Free
Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara Free
Wat Phra Singh Free

  • Chiang Mai Coffee Tour: Trekking to Farm, Roast and Brew Workshop: $115
  • LIFECYCLING - Half Day City Bike Tour: $39
  • 8 hour Sticky waterfall, ATV and White water rafting Adventures: $128
  • Full-Day Trekking and Sightseeing Tour in Mae Kampong: $76
  • The Best Full Day Tour: Doi Suthep, Wat Phalat, Sticky Waterfall: $46
  • 7 Hour Sticky Waterfall and ATV Guided Adventures: $88
  • Scooter Adventure with elephants, views and FUN drive yourself: $100
  • Chiang Mai 4 in 1 : 2 days - 1 Nights. Elephants Camp + Adventure : $121

Is food expensive in Chiang Mai?

In Chiang Mai, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $19 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $29.

  • Benny's Home Cooking Chiang Mai: $48
  • Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $27
  • Online Thai and Akha Cooking Class: $35
  • Motorbike Food Tour in Chiang Mai: $76
  • Private Dinner Cooking Class with Benny in Chiang Mai: $78
  • 5 Hour Morning Thai Cooking Course: $39

Is transportation expensive in Chiang Mai?

Local transportation in Chiang Mai can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $4 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $13. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Chiang Mai

If you're planning a trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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