Overview
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Northern Thailand travel itinerary
Day 1 - 3: Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai, you should also allow one day for a day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park. This is where you’ll find Thailand’s tallest mountain, earning it the nickname ‘Roof of Thailand.’ You can visit two beautiful pagodas, explore the nature park along various hiking trails, and admire some impressive views.
Animal lovers can spend another day in the Elephant Nature Park, where you can see these beautiful animals in an ethical way.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has a variety of accommodations, from hotels to hostels and guesthouses, to suit any budget. The best area to stay is Old Town, the most charming part of the city, and close to many of Chiang Mai’s highlights.
Day 4: Travel to Pai
After exploring Chiang Mai it is time to make your way to the hippy mountain village of Pai, located around 3-4 hours from Chiang Mai. You can either rent a car or motorbike and drive there yourself or hop on a minivan from Chiang Mai to Pai. Be ready for an adventurous trip! The road to Pai is famous for its 762 winding curves, and the drivers navigate it at a pretty fast pace. If you’re prone to carsickness, it might be worth reconsidering the trip to Pai, as the journey can get a bit rough. Otherwise, it’s part of the adventure!
Day 5 - 7: Pai
Pai is a lovely, mountain village in the north of Thailand. It is the ideal destination to relax, but there are also some things to see. There’s a laid-back atmosphere and it’s surrounded by a beautiful natural scenery. It used to be a popular destination among backpackers and hippies, but nowadays it is a destination for almost every kind of traveler. Although it’s only a tiny village, there are a lot of nice things to do in the area. You can relax in natural hot springs, stroll over the evening market, admire a stunning sunset over Pai Canyon and so much more.
One of the highlights in the area of Pai is the Tham Lod cave. It is located an hour’s drive from the center of Pai. On the way, you pass beautiful landscapes with impressive views and lush green rice fields. You can either rent a scooter and drive yourself, with the bonus of stopping at a hot spring along the way to warm up, or if you’d rather not drive, you can always join a day tour instead. You find all practical information in our guide to the Tham Lod Cave.
Where to stay in Pai
Pai offers plenty of accommodation options to suit any budget, from affordable hostels and guesthouses to bamboo bungalows and upscale resorts. Just note that there are no taxis or Grab services in Pai, so if you’re staying a bit outside the center, you’ll need to plan your transport to get around.
Day 8: Travel to Chiang Rai
On day 8, you’ll be traveling from Pai to Chiang Rai. Since there’s no direct route between the two, you’ll first need to drive or take the minivan back to Chiang Mai along the winding road with its 762 bends. Once you’re back in Chiang Mai, you can hop on a bus to Chiang Rai. It’s mostly a travel day, but it’s worth it for the adventure ahead in Chiang Rai!
Day 9-10: Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is a unique and sometimes ‘forgotten’ destination in the north of Thailand. Many people tend to skip Chiang Rai even though it is really worth it! The city has a pleasant, laid-back atmosphere and a number of bizarre but unique sights. Some of the highlights of Chiang Rai are the famous White and Blue Temple, the Black House, Wat Huay Pla Kang, the rolling Choui Fong tea plantations, and many cozy night markets.
You can spend a day visiting all the bizarre and unique temples and the rest of your time in Chiang Rai you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Don’t forget to stroll through the cozy night markets and stuff yourself with delicious street food, or try a famous hotpot.
After finishing this Northern Thailand travel itinerary, you can fly home from Chiang Rai’s airport. Or you can continue your journey into Laos from here, with or without the famous slow boat trip.
Where to stay in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai has a range of accommodations, from hotels and luxury resorts to hostels and guesthouses. The most popular spot to stay is in the city center near the clock tower, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, and night markets within walking distance.
For a more peaceful retreat, consider staying at one of the serene mountain resorts just outside the city or the upscale riverside resorts.
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How to get around in Northern Thailand
To travel between the different destinations of this Northern Thailand Itinerary, you can either take the bus or drive yourself with a rental car.
The best way to get around and explore Chiang Rai, Pai, and Chiang Mai is by renting a scooter if you don’t have a rental car. If you are not sure about driving a scooter yourself, you can often use Grab (not in Pai!), hire a private driver, or join a tour.
Prices for a scooter rental vary around 200-300 baht per day for 24 hours, depending on the area and type of motorbike.
How to get there
You can reach the north of Thailand by bus, train, or plane from other places in Thailand. From Luang Prabang in Laos, you can also travel by bus or slow boat to northern Thailand. If you are coming from another destination outside of Thailand, you fly to either Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai and reverse this itinerary.
By Bus
Almost all main destinations in Thailand are connected by bus. However, the distances are sometimes quite long and this is not always the most comfortable way to travel. If possible, we recommend that you take a train for longer distances.
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By (overnight) train
Thailand has a fairly extensive train network. These trains are often more comfortable and faster than the bus. There is a (night) train between Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukothai and the north of Thailand.
Night trains in particular are a convenient way to travel because they allow you to travel long distances without wasting entire days. Always book a bed on overnight trains, because a night train on a hard bench is even worse than the bus. We found the sleep train surprisingly pleasant, but don’t expect great luxury.
By air
Both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have an international airport and have flights arriving from other major cities in Southeast Asia. So, you can easily fly to the north of Thailand, both from other places in Thailand and abroad.
Fly to Thailand at the best conditions and enjoy a comfortable trip!
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Best time to visit
Generally, Thailand knows 3 seasons: wet season (May to October/November), cool season (November to February) and hot season (March to May).
The best time for this Northern Thailand travel itinerary is between November and January, during cool season, when the temperatures are more pleasant to explore and there’s less rain. Know that this period is also high tourist season, so you can expect bigger crowds and higher prices.
You should definitely avoid traveling to northern Thailand during the burning season, usually during February and March. This is when the local farmers burn their trash and their fields to make it fertile again, causing the air to become completely polluted and visibility to become very poor.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
