Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of Northern Thailand, offers an array of affordable activities and attractions to make your trip unforgettable as a solo traveler on a budget. From ancient temples to street markets, from cooking classes to elephant sanctuaries, this itinerary has got you covered.

My favorite part of visiting Chiang Mai last year was the Sunday Night Market. It was the perfect introduction to the city and all it has to offer. When you travel to Chiang Mai, make sure you are here on a Sunday night so you can attend!

While I stayed for 7 days in Chiang Mai and there is a lot to do, after learning from my trip, you really only need 5 days. If you’re combining Chiang Mai with Chiang Rai or other parts of Thailand, 3 days will be enough. So if you don’t have a full 5 days to spend, check out the bottom of my post for a shortened 3-day weekend itinerary.

Day 0: Arrival

The evening before your first day, check into your accommodation. There are a million and one options ranging from a few dollars a night hostels to expensive hotels. The nice thing about Thailand is that even 3 star hotels can be pretty inexpensive. Overall, I recommend staying within the old city walls. This will be your base for the next five days.

I personally stayed at Somwang Boutique Hotel, located in the south east part of the city. This hotel is affordable yet stylish, with friendly staff and great amenities. After a week of staying in a hostel, I loved having my own hotel room (only $16 USD a night!). I enjoyed the massive breakfast buffet, pool, multiple areas to sit outside, self serve laundry and air conditioning! 

If you’re looking to meet people, try Smile Robotist Hostel (across the road from Somwang Boutique Hotel). My friend met a bunch of people while staying here and liked it.

Day 1: Historical Tour and Sunday Market

Start your day with a free walking tour of Chiang Mai’s historical center. The tour takes approximately three hours, from 9am to 12pm, and covers major landmarks like Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Pan Tao. You will learn about the history and culture of the city while enjoying the beautiful architecture of these ancient temples.

The enjoyment of free walking tours often depends on the group and the guide. On my walking tour, our small group was great and the tour guide was very knowledgeable about the temples. While I enjoyed learning about the temples and being taken to the more famous ones, I wish the tour had covered more history of Thailand and interesting facts.

Personally, the tour could have been shorter but was invaluable for understanding the different temples and buddhist culture. If you would rather explore on your own, make sure you check out these interesting spots: Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Pan Tao, Three Kings Monument, Lanna Folklife Museum and Warorot Market. 

Walking Tour Information:
Hours: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 
Admission: This is a pay what you want tour so pay what you can afford.
Website to book the walking tour
Note: You will be told to take off your shoes when entering a temple and leave them outside. Make sure to wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off.

TRAVEL TIP: “Wat” refers to the English word “temple” or “monastery” so, if you use this before any other word, it is referring to the “[name] temple”

If you are hungry after the tour, check out this hole in the wall informal restaurant for Pad Thai. The woman makes it in a big wok right in front of you. It was the best Pad Thai I ate while in Chiang Mai. 

After the tour or lunch, head back to the hotel and relax for a while. 

In the evening, head to the Sunday Evening Street Market, which is open from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This vibrant market is packed with street food, local crafts, and live performances. Running for miles, it’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and try some delicious Thai food. 

I recommend arriving at the market at 5:00 pm. It is the least crowded then, allowing you to check out the different stalls. Additionally, this will give you the most amount of time if you end up staying until closing. The market will be packed around 8:00 pm with so many people that you can barely move through the streets. 

The Sunday Night Market was my absolute favorite thing to do in Chiang Mai. I loved shopping, trying the food, seeing the performances and getting a foot massage! If you are looking for souvenirs, this is the place to get them. I managed to get all my Christmas shopping done and spent less than $25 USD! 

Here’s my recommendations for the Sunday Evening Night Market: 

Arrive early and start shopping. Take a look at what is being sold but don’t stop at the first place you see. There will probably be several vendors selling similar items so take note of the prices and when you are ready to buy, negotiate! Especially if it is a higher priced item.

When it starts to become crowded, grab dinner from one of the many offshoots of the market. There will be multiple vendors selling a variety of traditional Thai food and desserts. Try a bunch of items if you can! 

After eating, continue to avoid the crowds and get a Thai foot or back massage. They offer 30 and 60 minute massages and you’ll see dozens of people all getting them on the street. If it is busy, you might have to wait a few minutes.

By 9:00 pm, the market will not be so crowded. Finish up shopping and grab some dessert before heading back to your accommodation. The market closes strictly at 10:00 pm.

TRAVEL TIP: Most vendors only accept cash at the Sunday Market so be sure to have some cash on hand. If you need an atm while at the market, there are a few 7-11 stores that have atms. 

Day 2: Cooking Class

On Day 2, take a break from the city and sightseeing and try your hand at cooking traditional Thai dishes. Whether it is in Chiang Mai or another city, a Thai cooking class is a must! I loved learning how to cook traditional Thai food and learning about common ingredients.

I opted for a full-day cooking class with The Thai Farm Cooking School. I was taken to a traditional Thai Market, and to the farm where the cooking school was located and then we started cooking several courses including dessert! This was a perfect activity for a solo traveler as everyone cooks their own food and I met other solo travelers as well! 

Additionally, the cooking class offered options for each course so we could choose what we were most interested in and could omit certain ingredients if we wanted. As someone who cannot tolerate a lot of heat, I loved how they provided this option. They also provided a cookbook of all the recipes at the end of the day which was super nice and the recipes are tailored towards 1-2 people!  

Thai Farm Cooking School
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for all day class
Admission: 1500 THB per person
Website to book your Thai Farm Cooking School class

After being on your feet all day from the cooking class, pamper yourself with a pedicure or foot massage. There are many affordable nail salons and massage centers around the city, and a pedicure/foot massage will cost you around 250-400 baht. I got a pedicure at Chic’s Nail Salon. It was a great way to relax and take care of my feet after a long day.

After spending most of the day eating during the cooking class you might not be too hungry. However, if you are looking for some place to go, I recommend checking out the Chiang Mai Gate Market. This market offers a variety of food options allowing you to pick and choose depending on how hungry you are.

Day 3: Hike, Massage, and Night Bazaar

Today, you will explore the natural beauty of Chiang Mai. Hire a tuk-tuk or hike on your own to the top of Doi Suthep, a mountain located just outside the city. If you hike, take the Monk’s trail, a beautiful hiking trail that leads through the jungle to a hidden temple, Wat Pha Lat.

I highly recommend taking the Monk’s trail hike to Wat Pha Lat. The hike takes about two hours round trip and is suitable for all levels of fitness. It was cool to hike through the jungle. As a solo traveler, I felt safe, and there was always someone coming up or down the trail within a few minutes of me. While you can walk, I took an Uber to the start of the Monk’s hike trailhead to save time.

The best part of the hike was arriving at Wat Pha Lat and exploring the whole area. While it is well-kept, it truly resembles a hidden jungle temple that was just found. There are multiple structures and a river that runs through it. Additionally, there is a great view of the city from the steps.

There were restrooms and a small shop near the car entrance to the temple grounds. Even if you don’t hike, hire a Red Songthaew or tuk-tuk to take you up here. It is not to be missed!

After exploring Wat Pha Lat, you can continue the hike to the famous Wat Phra Doi Suthep or take a Red Songthaew or tuk-tuk. This second part of the hike is very challenging, and I only recommend it to those who are good at hiking. This 1.5-mile trail has an elevation gain of 1,500 feet (450 meters) in the first mile and a grade of around 20% with 30-40% at times. I consider myself an experienced day hiker, and I found this trail fun but challenging. Due to its steepness, I wanted to save my knees and did not want to hike down, so I took a Red Songthaew back.

Not interested in hiking to Wat Phra Doi Suthep? You can either grab a Red Songthaew or tuk-tuk from the city center, or if you are at Wat Pha Lat, you’ll notice some Red Songthaew and tuk-tuk hanging out by the car entrance, and you can ask them for a ride to Wat Phra Doi Suthep.

Wat Phra Doi Suthep is ornately decorated and very interesting to check out. Make sure to walk around the whole property and see the amazing view of Chiang Mai from one of the terraces. While the main temple is a must-see, I enjoyed some of the less crowded areas and buildings off to the side. If you hike, you will most likely see these areas first before entering the main temple.

Wat Phra Doi Suthep
Hours: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm
Admission: 30 THB
Official Website for Wat Phra Doi Suthep
Note: There are free lockers to store your shoes and restrooms at this temple!

If you are hungry after seeing the temple, there are many options on the main road, along with some souvenir and textile shops. This is also where you can grab a Red Songthaew to take you back to the city center. A word of caution – at the end of the day, the driver waits until the bus is full (about 8 people), so you might end up waiting an hour! Alternative options are to order an Uber or take a tuk-tuk.

After the hike, treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage. Chiang Mai is famous for its affordable and high-quality massages. You can find a massage for as little as 200 baht. I received several traditional Thai massages from Lila Thai Massage. They have several locations around the city and employ women ex-inmates to provide them with a source of income as they reacclimate into society.

Lila Thai Massage
Cost: 300 THB for a 1-hour traditional Thai massage, but they also offer a variety of other massages.
Website for Lila Thai Massage

In the evening, head to the Night Bazaar, which is open from 6 pm to midnight. This massive market offers everything from souvenirs to clothing to street food. It’s a great place to practice your bargaining skills and pick up some unique gifts for friends and family back home. Take time to explore all of it. My favorite area was where artists display their work.

I loved all the street food vendors in Chiang Mai, and the Night Bazaar was no exception. There were a bunch of options, and for dessert, I got Thai Roti with banana in it! These roti carts are all over, and I highly recommend you try it at least once on your trip!

Day 4: Elephant Nature Park

No trip to Chiang Mai is complete without a visit to an elephant sanctuary. I recommend visiting The Elephant Nature Park. This park is a rescue and rehabilitation centre that provides a safe haven for elephants that have been rescued from the tourism and logging industries. The park offers a variety of visit options to view the elephants in their natural habitat.

I absolutely loved visiting The Elephant Nature Park. It was awesome to see the elephants up close. After a tour of the feeding area, our guide brought us out to meet some of the elephants. We were able to stand within a foot of them, which was so cool.

The elephants are allowed to walk wherever they want within certain areas of the park and have a river that they can play in as well. As these elephants are all rescues, you are not allowed to touch them, but most of these elephants are used to humans and allow you to stand very close!

There were some baby elephants as well that were fun to watch play. Our guide took us to different areas of the park to see elephants, including the river. During a day visit, the park also feeds you an amazing buffet lunch.

Elephants are one of my favorite animals, so this was one of the best experiences from the trip. I recommend The Elephant Nature Park because it rescues elephants and allows visitors to view the elephants while being respectful of them. If booking a tour with another company, please ensure they follow similar protocols and are respectful of the animals.

Elephant Nature Park
Hours: The visit runs from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Admission: 2,500 THB.
Elephant Nature Park Official Website

The tour lasts most of the day, so I recommend relaxing at your accommodation in the evening and start preparing for the last day in Chiang Mai.

Day 5: Nimmanhaemin Neighborhood and Departure

On your last day in Chiang Mai, visit the Nimmanhaemin neighborhood. This up-and-coming area is known for its trendy cafes, art galleries, and street art. Take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood and soak up the bohemian atmosphere.

While I could have walked, to save time I took a Red Songthaew there and back. The Red Songthaew dropped us off near the massive mall, MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center. This mall has everything from a movie theater to shops to a massive grocery store. I loved seeing the unique fruits, vegetables, and candies in a Thai grocery store.

After checking out the mall, walk around Nimmanhaemin. I loved walking around the street seeing all the small shops. I found a cute bookstore and an upscale outdoor mall, One Nimman. While the stores were more expensive, the food hall in the back was affordable and I had a delicious lunch there before heading back to my hotel.

In the afternoon or late evening, depart Chiang Mai. If you are heading to the airport for your flight back home and have some time to spare, you can stop by the airport’s handicraft center, which offers an impressive selection of Thai handicrafts and souvenirs at affordable prices.

Quick Summary Of Each Day

Day 1: Explore the city center and Sunday Night Market

Take a free walking tour of the old town city center or visit the famous temples and sites on your own
Sunday Night Market (this is not to be missed!)

Day 2: Cooking class

Traditional Thai cooking class outside the city
Rest your feet and get a foot massage or pedicure

Day 3: Explore Doi Suthep mountain and Night Bazaar

Hike/take a taxi to Wat Pha Lat, a hidden temple in the jungle
Continue the hike or take a taxi to Wat Phra Doi Suthep, a famous temple with amazing city views
Check out the Night Bazaar

Day 4: Elephant Nature Park

Spend the day interacting with elephants and watching them in their natural habitat
Relax at your accommodation

Day 5: Nimmanhaemin Neighborhood

Spend the morning walking around Nimmanhaemin Neighborhood, checking out cute shops and great eateries
Depart from Chiang Mai

A Shortened Weekend Itinerary

Only have a weekend to spend in Chiang Mai? Check out this shortened itinerary where you’ll still be able to see all the classic sites and markets. 
Note: Each site is linked to the above itinerary to learn more.

Friday: Explore the city center and Night Bazaar

Arrive in the afternoon
Explore the famous temples in the city center, such as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Pan Tao, and check out the Three Kings Monument.

 In the evening, explore the Night Bazaar and try some great traditional Thai food.

Saturday: Explore Doi Suthep mountain and Night Market

I recommend staying near Chiang Mai and visiting the temples on Doi Suthep mountain, but if you would rather get out of the city, check out a Thai Cooking Class or visit elephants. 

Hike or take a Red Songthaew to Wat Pha Lat, a hidden temple in the jungle and take your time exploring it. Continue the hike or grab a taxi to Wat Phra Doi Suthep, an ornate temple with amazing views. 

Spend an hour in the afternoon getting a Thai Massage. 

In the evening, check out the Saturday Night Market or head to one of the many restaurants in the city.

Sunday: Nimmanhaemin Neighborhood

If you didn’t have time on Friday, continue to explore the city center and visit the Lanna Folklife Museum. If you are looking to leave the old city center, spend the morning walking around the Nimmanhaemin neighborhood, visiting cute shops and cafes. 

If you are leaving later in the evening, spend some time at the Sunday Night Market before heading out of town.

Budget Tips for Solo Travelers in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a fantastic destination for solo travelers on a budget. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful nature, this city offers an unforgettable travel experience. From ancient temples to elephant sanctuaries, from street markets to trendy neighborhoods, this itinerary has something for everyone. By following these tips, you can make the most of your trip without breaking the bank.

1. Use public transportation: Chiang Mai has a reliable public transportation system that includes buses, Red Songthaews (shared taxis), and tuk-tuks. They are affordable and convenient ways to get around the city.
2. Eat street food: Street food is delicious, affordable, and safe in Chiang Mai. You can find a wide variety of dishes at local markets and street vendors. Be sure to try the famous khao soi, a Northern Thai curry noodle soup.
3. Bargain at markets: Bargaining is expected at the local markets, so don’t be afraid to negotiate the price of souvenirs, clothing, and other items.
4. Stay at budget hotels/hostels: Chiang Mai has many budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses that offer nice rooms at affordable prices. Somwang Boutique Hotel is a great option for solo travelers on a budget.
5. Bring a water bottle: The tap water in Chiang Mai is not safe to drink, but you can refill your water bottle at the hotel or at the many refill stations around the city. This will save you money and help reduce plastic waste.

Common Questions

How many days should you spend in Chiang Mai?

You should stay a minimum of 3 days in Chiang Mai. Staying 5 to 6 days in Chiang Mai would allow you to explore the areas outside the city center.

Where should you stay in Chiang Mai?

Stay in the old city part of Chiang Mai. Specifically, I recommend staying near the southeast corner.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?

November to February is the best time to visit Chiang Mai. This is considered the dry and cool season.

Combining your trip with Singapore? Check out this 5 Day Singapore Itinerary