Day trips from Chiang Mai
Day trips from Chiang Mai open up the towns and sights around it. The most comfortable months are December and January, with highs around 85°F (30°C) and about 1 rainy days a month.
Photo: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top day trips in Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai Temples Day Trip from Chiang MaiFrom $45View 
Chiang Rai Day Trip from Chiang Mai City with Golden TriangleFrom $79View 
Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Bamboo Rafting and Waterfall TourFrom $55View 
Chiang Rai Day Trip from Chiang Mai with LunchFrom $30View 
Chiang Rai Day Tour from Chiang Mai: White Temple & More w/ LunchFrom $40View 
No.1 Full-Day Chiang Mai Caving & Jungle Kayaking: Chiang DaoFrom $76View
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Places to go from Chiang Mai
Towns and sights within day-trip range, with the straight-line distance from the centre:
- Chiang Dao
- A cave temple and mountain views north of the city. About 40 miles away.
- Chiang Rai
- The White Temple and the Golden Triangle, three hours away. About 94 miles away.
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Thailand's highest mountain, with waterfalls and twin pagodas. About 37 miles away.
- Lampang
- Horse-drawn carriages and teak temples. About 47 miles away.
- Lamphun
- One of Thailand's oldest towns, with a revered temple. About 49 miles away.
How to pick a good day trip
- Work out the real travel time each way. A two-hour drive each direction leaves about four hours on the ground.
- Trains are often cheaper than a tour if you only want one town; tours earn their price when they combine several stops.
- Leave early. Popular towns are quietest before the tour coaches arrive mid-morning.
- Check what's closed on Mondays. Museums and churches in many towns take that day off.
Chiang Mai month by month
Averages for Chiang Mai, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 86 (30) | 91 (33) | 96 (35) | 98 (37) | 94 (35) | 92 (33) | 90 (32) | 89 (32) | 90 (32) | 89 (32) | 87 (31) | 85 (29) |
| Low °F (°C) | 60 (16) | 62 (17) | 68 (20) | 74 (23) | 76 (24) | 76 (25) | 76 (24) | 75 (24) | 75 (24) | 73 (23) | 68 (20) | 62 (17) |
| Rainy days | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:07 pm | 6:24 pm | 6:34 pm | 6:41 pm | 6:51 pm | 7:02 pm | 7:05 pm | 6:52 pm | 6:27 pm | 6:02 pm | 5:46 pm | 5:49 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for day trips in Chiang Mai?
December and January. Expect highs around 85°F (30°C) and about 1 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are March and April.
What's the closest day trip from Chiang Mai?
Doi Inthanon National Park, about 37 miles away: thailand's highest mountain, with waterfalls and twin pagodas. Chiang Dao, about 40 miles away: a cave temple and mountain views north of the city. Lampang, about 47 miles away: horse-drawn carriages and teak temples.
Where can I book day trips in Chiang Mai?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
