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Chiang Mai in 4 nights and 5 days: would you rather explore temples and mountain trails, or enjoy markets and shopping?

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

A suits travelers who want to take their time exploring Old City temples, Doi Suthep, and Doi Inthanon. B is great for travelers who want to enjoy Warorot Market, shopping in Nimman, the Walking Streets, and nightlife along the Ping River. Chiang Mai has no BTS or MRT, so get around using a mix of red songthaews, Grab or Bolt, and walking.

How do you get from Bangkok or the airport to central Chiang Mai?

A domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. From CNX Airport to the Old City, a taxi from the counter takes about 10–15 minutes and costs 150 baht per vehicle. You can catch an airport taxi meter at Entrance 1 on the terminal’s first floor; add a 50-baht driver surcharge to the metered fare. Check the fare in the Grab or Bolt app when you request a ride.

Short shared songthaew rides around town are usually quoted at 30 baht per person. Confirm your destination and fare with the driver before boarding. The cool, relatively dry season generally runs from November to February. Haze and wildfire smoke can raise PM2.5 levels from February to April.

4 Nights, 5 Days A | Temples and Mountain Trails

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. Then take a day trip to Doi Inthanon, and wrap up your itinerary at the Night Bazaar and along the Ping River.

Day 1 | From CNX to Old City Temples

  1. Chiang Mai Airport → Tha Phae Gate

    A taxi from the counter takes about 10–15 minutes from CNX to inside the Old City moat and costs 150 baht per vehicle. A GrabCar usually costs 120–150 baht per vehicle; check the fare in the app. Take a walk around Tha Phae Gate and the moat.

  2. Tha Phae Gate → Wat Chedi Luang

    It’s about a 10-minute walk to the temple inside the Old City. Admire the massive chedi at Wat Chedi Luang · Wat Chedi Luang · วัดเจดีย์หลวงวรวิหาร, and bring 50 baht for the admission fee listed in visitor information. For dinner, try northern Thai food at Huen Muan Jai in the Old City, then enjoy some jazz at North Gate Jazz Co-Op.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Huen Muan JaiJazz bars · North Gate Jazz Co-Op

Day 2 | Wat Phra Singh and the Old City

  1. Old City → Wat Phra Singh

    Walk to the temple within the Old City. Admire the golden chedi and Viharn Lai Kham at Wat Phra Singh · Wat Phra Singh · วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร. Recent travel guides list the admission fee as 40 baht.

  2. Wat Phra Singh → Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)

    Head south toward Wua Lai Road to see the silver ubosot. The grounds are open 06:00–18:00, and the silver ubosot is open 09:00–18:00. Admission to the ubosot is 50 baht for foreign adults. Women cannot enter the interior and must view it from the entrance. Have dinner at SP Chicken in the Old City, then catch live music at Thong Bar.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · SP ChickenLive music · Tong Bar

Day 3 | Doi Suthep and Nimman

  1. Old City → Chiang Mai Zoo Stop

    To catch a shared songthaew to Doi Suthep, head to the stop in front of Chiang Mai Zoo. The drive from the Old City takes about 40 minutes, and a shared songthaew from the zoo to Doi Suthep costs 60 baht per person one way.

  2. Chiang Mai Zoo → Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

    Wat Phra That Doi Suthep · Wat Phra That Doi Suthep · วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพราชวรวิหาร is open daily 05:00–21:00, with admission of 30 baht for foreign adults. Take in the golden pagoda, naga staircase, and city views. The optional cable car, in place of the stairs, costs 50 baht per person.

  3. Doi Suthep → Nimmanhaemin Road and One Nimman

    Shared songthaew rides around town are usually 30 baht per person. Confirm the destination and fare before boarding. One Nimman is open daily 11:00–21:00, and the night market area stays open until 22:00. For lunch, have home-style Thai food at Khao Baan Kung behind Chiang Mai University. After dinner, enjoy the nightlife at The Mellowship Jazz Club.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Grandpa Home KitchenJazz bars · The Mellowship Jazz Club

Day 4 | Day Trip to Doi Inthanon National Park

  1. Chiang Mai City → Doi Inthanon National Park

    The park is quite far from the city, so arrange a day tour or vehicle in advance. Doi Inthanon National Park is open daily 05:00–18:00, with admission of 300 baht for foreign adults. Tours start at 1,700 baht per person when booked for one person, with prices varying by group size. Explore the waterfalls, forest, viewpoints, and trails.

  2. Doi Inthanon → Chiang Mai City

    Back in town, try northern-style khao soi for dinner at Khao Soi Khun Yai in the Old City, then end the day with music at North Gate Jazz Co-Op.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Khao Soi Khun YaiJazz bars · North Gate Jazz Co-Op

Day 5 | From the Ping River to the Airport

  1. Old City → Warorot Market

    Walk for about 15–20 minutes, or take a shared songthaew for 30 baht per person. Warorot Market · Warorot Market (Kad Luang) · ตลาดวโรรส / กาดหลวง is open daily 06:00–19:00, with free admission. Browse northern snacks and textiles.

  2. Warorot Market → CNX Chiang Mai Airport

    Return to the Old City and take a taxi from the counter to the airport. The ride takes about 10–15 minutes and costs 150 baht per vehicle. Allow plenty of time for the airport transfer before your departure.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Khao Soi Islam

4 Nights, 5 Days A: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)

Round-trip songthaew to Doi Suthep 120 + Doi Suthep admission 30 + Doi Suthep cable car 50 + Wat Chedi Luang admission 50 + Wat Phra Singh admission 40 + Wat Sri Suphan ubosot 50 + Doi Inthanon admission 300 + lowest-priced full-day Doi Inthanon tour 1,700 + one short songthaew ride in town 30 = 2,370 baht total. The airport taxi at 150 baht per vehicle and the 30-baht songthaew to Warorot are extra.

4 Nights, 5 Days B | Markets and Shopping

If you love markets and shopping, plan your route around Warorot, Nimman, the Night Bazaar, and the Walking Streets on their respective days. Set aside one day for Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai University, and Nimman to enjoy both the city and mountain scenery.

Day 1 | From CNX to Tha Phae Gate and the Old City

  1. Chiang Mai Airport → Tha Phae Gate

    A taxi from the counter takes about 10–15 minutes from CNX to inside the Old City moat and costs 150 baht per vehicle. Take a walk around Tha Phae Gate and the moat, then walk to the center of the Old City.

  2. Tha Phae Gate → Wat Chedi Luang

    Visit this temple inside the Old City, about a 10-minute walk away. Visitor information lists the admission fee as 50 baht. Have dinner at Jok Sompet in the Old City, then listen to live jazz at North Gate Jazz Co-Op.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Jok SompetJazz bars · North Gate Jazz Co-Op

Day 2 | Warorot Market and the Night Bazaar

  1. Tha Phae Gate → Warorot Market

    Walk for about 15–20 minutes or take a shared songthaew for 30 baht per person. The market is open daily 06:00–19:00, with free admission. Sample northern Thai food and snacks, and browse textiles and household goods.

  2. Warorot Market → Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

    Walk toward Chang Khlan Road. The stalls generally open around 18:00 and close around 22:30–23:00. For dinner, try northern-style khao soi at Khao Soi Lamduan Fah Ham along the Ping River, then enjoy live music and an evening by the river at The Good View Bar & Restaurant.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Khao Soi Lamduan Fah HamLive music · The Good View Bar & Restaurant

Day 3 | Doi Suthep and Shopping in Nimman

  1. Old City → Chiang Mai Zoo Stop

    To catch a shared songthaew to Doi Suthep, head to the stop in front of the zoo. The drive from the Old City takes about 40 minutes, and the ride from the stop to Doi Suthep costs 60 baht per person one way.

  2. Chiang Mai Zoo → Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

    The temple is open daily 05:00–21:00, with admission of 30 baht for foreign adults. The cable car costs 50 baht per person. Modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is recommended.

  3. Doi Suthep → One Nimman

    Shared songthaew rides around town are usually quoted at 30 baht per person. Confirm the destination and fare before boarding. One Nimman is open daily 11:00–21:00. For lunch, try boat noodles at Nara Thai Cuisine in One Nimman, then enjoy the nightlife at Red Room 199 after shopping.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Nara Thai CuisineLive music · Red Room Bar with Pool Table

Day 4 | Walking Streets and the Ping River

  1. Tha Phae Gate → Sunday Walking Street

    If you’re there on a Sunday, stroll along Sunday Walking Street, which runs from Tha Phae Gate along Ratchadamnoen Road. It’s open about 16:00–22:00, with free admission. During road closures, get off nearby and walk in.

  2. Old City → Saturday Walking Street

    If you’re there on a Saturday, head to Wua Lai Road, south of Chiang Mai Gate. It’s about a 15–20-minute walk from Tha Phae Gate to Chiang Mai Gate, or take a shared songthaew in town for 30 baht per person. The market is open about 17:00–22:00. Enjoy northern Thai food at Huen Muan Jai in the Old City, then listen to jazz at Moments Notice Jazz Club.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapFood · Huen Muan JaiJazz bars · Moment's Notice Jazz Club

Day 5 | From Nimman to CNX

  1. Old City → Nimmanhaemin Road and One Nimman

    A GrabCar from the Old City to Nimman usually costs 60–100 baht per vehicle. Shared songthaew rides around town are usually quoted at 30 baht per person; confirm the destination and fare first. One Nimman is open 11:00–21:00, and the night market area stays open until 22:00. Enjoy brunch at Grun Bread & Brunch Café or Café Arte.

  2. Nimman → CNX Chiang Mai Airport

    Check the fare in the app when you request a Grab to the airport. A taxi from the counter is listed at 150 baht per vehicle and takes about 10–15 minutes. Start your journey in time for your flight.

Nearby on ThaiTripMapCafés · Groon Bread & Brunch CafeCafés · Cafe Arte

4 Nights, 5 Days B: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)

Airport taxi from the counter 150 + Wat Chedi Luang admission 50 + songthaew to Warorot 30 + round-trip songthaew to Doi Suthep 120 + Doi Suthep admission 30 + Doi Suthep cable car 50 + shared songthaew to Nimman 30 + songthaew to Saturday Walking Street 30 + airport taxi from the counter 150 = 640 baht total. Your actual costs will vary if you choose different transport instead of the Doi Suthep cable car and songthaew.

FAQ

What should I wear to visit Doi Suthep and the Old City temples?

Modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is recommended. Remove your shoes before entering the main worship hall.

Which days are the Walking Streets open?

Sunday Walking Street is open Sundays, about 16:00–22:00. Saturday Walking Street is open Saturdays, about 17:00–22:00.

What should I keep in mind when visiting Chiang Mai from February to April?

Haze and wildfire smoke can raise PM2.5 levels during this period. If you prefer cooler, relatively dry weather, consider visiting between November and February.

Official sources & check dates

Site updated: 2026-10-24