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Chiang Mai in 3 nights and 4 days: temples and mountains, or markets and shopping?

Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
📷 Department of Tourism Thailand: LannaPhoto · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Choose A for temple and mountain scenery and nature; choose B for local markets, shopping in Nimman, and nightlife along the Ping River. Both itineraries start at Chiang Mai Airport and return to CNX on the final day.

How do I get from Chiang Mai Airport to the city?

The domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. From CNX, it’s about 10–15 minutes by taxi to the Old City. Airport counter taxis cost 150 baht per vehicle; GrabCar usually costs 120–150 baht per vehicle. Check the app for the fare when you book.

Chiang Mai has no BTS or MRT. Get around town using a mix of red songthaews, Grab or Bolt, and walking. Confirm your destination and fare before boarding a songthaew. The cooler, relatively dry season is generally November to February; haze and wildfire smoke can be severe from February to April.

3 nights, 4 days A | Old City temples, Doi Suthep, and nature

On day one, head from the airport to the Old City and explore its temples on foot. The next day, visit Doi Suthep and the Suthep area. On day three, take a day trip to Doi Inthanon for mountain and waterfall scenery. On the last day, enjoy a meal in the Old City before heading to the airport.

Day 1 | From the airport to Old City temples and Sunday Walking Street

  1. Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) → Tha Phae Gate

    An airport counter taxi takes about 10–15 minutes to the area inside the Old City moat and costs 150 baht per vehicle. Drop off your bags, then stroll around Tha Phae Gate and the moat. From the gate, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the temples in the western Old City. For lunch, try Northern Thai khao soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai in the Old City.

  2. Tha Phae Gate → Wat Chedi Luang · Wat Chedi Luang · วัดเจดีย์หลวงวรวิหาร

    Walk through the Old City to see the massive chedi and Lanna architecture. Visitor information lists an entrance fee of 50 baht. Opening hours vary between sources, so check the onsite information before your visit.

  3. Wat Chedi Luang → Wat Phra Singh · Wat Phra Singh · วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร

    Walk through the Old City to admire the golden stupa and murals at Viharn Lai Kham. Recent travel guides list the foreign visitor fee as 40 baht. For dinner, try Northern Thai dishes at Huen Muan Jai in the Old City, then enjoy live jazz at North Gate Jazz Co-Op.

  4. Wat Phra Singh → Tha Phae Gate Sunday Walking Street

    If you’re visiting on a Sunday, explore Sunday Walking Street along Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate. It runs approximately 16:00–22:00 on Sundays, with no entrance fee. It’s best to get dropped off nearby and walk.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Khao Soi Khun YaiFood · Huen Muan JaiJazz bars · North Gate Jazz Co-Op

Day 2 | Doi Suthep and cafés in Suthep

  1. Old City → Chiang Mai Zoo stop

    Take a shared songthaew or a Grab or Bolt ride to the stop in front of Chiang Mai Zoo. A short shared songthaew ride in town usually costs 30 baht per person. Confirm your destination and fare before boarding.

  2. Chiang Mai Zoo stop → Wat Phra That Doi Suthep · Wat Phra That Doi Suthep · วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพราชวรวิหาร

    Take a shared songthaew up the mountain for 60 baht per person one way. The temple is open daily from 05:00–21:00, and admission for foreign adults is 30 baht. See the golden stupa, Naga staircase, and city views. Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. The cable car is an alternative to the stairs and costs 50 baht per person.

  3. Doi Suthep → Nimmanhaemin Road and One Nimman

    Return to Nimman by shared songthaew or a ride booked through an app, then explore One Nimman and the neighborhood’s shops. One Nimman is open daily from 11:00–21:00, and its night market area stays open until 22:00. There is no entrance fee. For lunch, try Northern Thai food at Han Teung Chiang Mai behind Chiang Mai University, then enjoy coffee at Asama Coffee & Roastery.

  4. One Nimman → Nimman bars and pubs

    Enjoy Northern Thai food for dinner at Tong Tem Toh. In the evening, listen to jazz at The Mellowship Jazz Club or catch live music at Red Room 199.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Han Teung ChiangmaiCafés · Asama Coffee & RoasteryJazz bars · The Mellowship Jazz Club

Day 3 | Day trip to Doi Inthanon

  1. Chiang Mai city → Doi Inthanon National Park

    Arrange a day tour or private vehicle from the city in advance to visit the mountains, waterfalls, viewpoints, and nature trails. The park is open daily from 05:00–18:00, and admission for foreign adults is 300 baht. Full-day tours start at 1,700 baht per person when booking for one person; prices vary by group size. Bring layers for the high elevation and comfortable walking shoes.

  2. Doi Inthanon → Old City

    Return to the city by tour or vehicle. For dinner, try Northern Thai noodles at Khao Soi Mae Sai, then enjoy jazz at North Gate Jazz Co-Op.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Khao Soi Mae SaiJazz bars · North Gate Jazz Co-Op

Day 4 | Breakfast in the Old City, then on to CNX

  1. Old City → Khao Soi Mae Manee

    Try Northern Thai khao soi for breakfast at Khao Soi Mae Manee. The Old City is easy to explore on foot; if you have luggage, take a shared songthaew or a Grab or Bolt ride.

  2. Old City → Chiang Mai Airport (CNX)

    An airport counter taxi costs 150 baht per vehicle and takes about 10–15 minutes. GrabCar usually costs 120–150 baht per vehicle; check the fare in the app when you book.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Khao Soi Mae Manee

3 nights, 4 days A: confirmed admission and transport costs (per adult)

Example calculation: airport taxi 150 + town songthaew 30 + round-trip songthaew to Doi Suthep 120 + Doi Suthep admission 30 + Doi Inthanon tour 1,700 + park admission 300 = 2,330 baht total. The airport taxi fare is per vehicle but counted here as one person’s cost; the tour price is the starting rate for a solo booking.

3 nights, 4 days B | Markets, shopping in Nimman, and nights by the Ping River

On day one, head from the airport to the Old City and enjoy the historic district and night bazaar. On day two, visit Warorot Market and the Ping River. Spend day three in Nimman and at Doi Suthep. On day four, have breakfast at the market before heading to the airport.

Day 1 | Old City and Night Bazaar

  1. Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) → Tha Phae Gate

    An airport counter taxi takes about 10–15 minutes to the area inside the Old City moat and costs 150 baht per vehicle. Explore Tha Phae Gate and the moat, then try Northern Thai khao soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai for lunch.

  2. Tha Phae Gate → Wat Chedi Luang · Wat Chedi Luang · วัดเจดีย์หลวงวรวิหาร

    Walk through the Old City to see the massive chedi and Lanna temple. Visitor information lists the entrance fee as 50 baht; it’s best to check opening hours before your visit. Enjoy coffee at Akha Ama Phrasingh in the Old City.

  3. Wat Chedi Luang → Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

    Walk about 20 minutes or take a shared songthaew to Chang Khlan Road for 30 baht per person. Stalls generally open around 18:00 and close around 22:30–23:00. There is no entrance fee. Have dinner at Khao Soi Islam, then head toward the Ping River to enjoy live music and nightlife at The Good View Bar & Restaurant.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Khao Soi Khun YaiCafés · Akha Ama PhrasinghLive music · The Good View Bar & Restaurant

Day 2 | Warorot Market and the Ping River

  1. Tha Phae Gate → Warorot Market (Kad Luang) · Warorot Market (Kad Luang) · ตลาดวโรรส / กาดหลวง

    Walk about 15–20 minutes or take a shared songthaew for 30 baht per person to the market near the Ping River. It’s open daily from 06:00–19:00, with no entrance fee. Browse Northern Thai snacks and local food, then try Khao Soi Lam Duan Fah Ham for lunch.

  2. Warorot Market → Ping Riverfront

    Take a leisurely stroll along the river, stopping at cafés and restaurants. Have coffee at Kati, then enjoy dinner with a river view at Pa La Rim Ping. In the evening, listen to live music at The Riverside Bar & Restaurant.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Khao Soi Lamduan Fah HamCafés · KhageeLive music · The Riverside Bar & Restaurant

Day 3 | Doi Suthep and shopping in Nimman

  1. Old City → Chiang Mai Zoo stop

    Take a shared songthaew or a Grab or Bolt ride to the stop in front of the zoo. A short shared songthaew ride in town usually costs 30 baht per person. Confirm your destination and fare before boarding.

  2. Chiang Mai Zoo stop → Wat Phra That Doi Suthep · Wat Phra That Doi Suthep · วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพราชวรวิหาร

    Take a shared songthaew for 60 baht per person one way. The temple is open daily from 05:00–21:00, and admission for foreign adults is 30 baht. See the golden stupa and staircase, then enjoy the city views. The cable car is optional and costs 50 baht per person.

  3. Doi Suthep → Nimmanhaemin Road and One Nimman

    Return to Nimman and explore the shops and dining spots at One Nimman. It’s open daily from 11:00–21:00, with no entrance fee. Have lunch at Kram Cafe & Eatery, then enjoy a hot chocolate for dessert at KanVela Craft Chocolate Café.

  4. One Nimman → Nimman bars and pubs

    Try Northern Thai roast chicken for dinner at Cherng Doi Roast Chicken, then enjoy jazz and nightlife at The Mellowship Jazz Club.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapCafés · KRAM Cafe & EateryCafés · Kanvela Craft Chocolate CafeFood · Cherng Doi Roast Chicken

Day 4 | Breakfast at Warorot Market, then on to CNX

  1. Old City → Warorot Market

    Take a shared songthaew for 30 baht per person or walk about 15–20 minutes. The market is open daily from 06:00–19:00. Pick up a breakfast snack at Neng Patongo, then browse Northern Thai snacks and souvenirs.

  2. Warorot Market → Chiang Mai Airport (CNX)

    Take a Grab or Bolt ride or a taxi to the airport. An airport counter taxi from the Old City costs 150 baht per vehicle and takes about 10–15 minutes. GrabCar usually costs 120–150 baht per vehicle; check the fare in the app when you book.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Patongo Ko Neng (Praisanee Road Branch)

3 nights, 4 days B: confirmed admission and transport costs (per adult)

Example calculation: airport taxi 150 + town songthaew 30 + round-trip songthaew to Doi Suthep 120 + Doi Suthep admission 30 = 330 baht total. The airport taxi fare is per vehicle but counted here as one person’s cost.

FAQ

Can I visit Doi Suthep and Nimman in one day?

Yes. Visit Doi Suthep in the morning, then spend the afternoon shopping and enjoying cafés along Nimmanhaemin Road and at One Nimman.

When are Sunday Walking Street and Saturday Walking Street open?

Sunday Walking Street runs approximately 16:00–22:00 on Sundays, while Saturday Walking Street runs approximately 17:00–22:00 on Saturdays. The Saturday market is held on Wua Lai Road.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai, and when should I watch out for haze?

The cooler, relatively dry season is generally November to February. Haze and wildfire smoke can be severe from February to April, so take the season into account when planning your trip and outdoor activities.

Official sources & check dates

Site updated: 2026-10-24