This short guide covers a list of tried-and-test overnight or weekend trips you can take from Chiang Mai without an overpriced tour.
Chiang Mai has many things going for it; I mean, it’s home to over 100 temples, bustling night markets, world-class street food and an insanely good coffee scene (I had to throw that one in there). While we can all agree it’s pretty fab, it’s still a polluted, busy city and I urge you to leave the inner square of the old town and take some overnight trips from Chiang Mai.
Sure, Chiang Mai is an excellent base while in Northern Thailand, but you gotta get out there, and I’m going to help you. Oh, and in true Real Talk Travel fashion, no tour operators are involved. We don’t need ’em!
1. A weekend trip to Pai
It would be a sin to be in Chiang Mai and not take an overnight trip to Pai, a relaxed hippy town nestled in the mountains of Mae Hong Son. While it’s no longer a ‘hidden gem,’ Pai remains my favourite place in Thailand and should be on your travel itinerary.
While it’s only 80km northwest of Chiang Mai, don’t let the distance fool you; it takes 3 to 4 hours to drive around 762 curves. If you’re feeling confident and want an adventure, I’d recommend riding there by scooter—it’s a much better option than the bus, which is renowned for making travellers vomit!
Read later: Best Route from Chiang Mai to Pai by Scooter
Pai is full of hiking trails, waterfalls, night markets, an insane food scene, cosy coffee shops, self-development workshops, plus crazy nightlife if you want it! Sure, if you have only two days, that’s better than nothing. But honestly, once you arrive in Pai, you’ll want to stay for weeks. I originally planned to spend three days there but ended up staying for two months because really, it is a paradise.
I won’t blab on too much about how dreamy Pai is here, check out all Pai-related posts here.
2. A weekend trip to Chiang Dao
Next up, Chiang Dao! A worthy 2nd place of the ‘best overnight trips from Chiang Mai’ category. It’s only 70km North of Chiang Mai and takes way less time to reach than Pai. So if you’re rushed for time, potentially going here is better!
It’s a town not touched by much tourist development (yet!), and an overnight trip there is dreamy. It’s home to Thailand’s 3rd highest mountain, hot springs, hiking trails and impressive caves.
Where to Stay in Chiang Dao?
While it’s possible to go for a day trip, I’d recommend staying in one of the beautiful homestays. We stayed in PiangDao Homestay for THB 1000 | €26 a night for our private hut and terrace with Doi Luang Chiang Dao Mountain views. Oh, and breakfast included.
I’ve also heard Chiang Dao Youth Camping is perfect if you fancy camping.
Where to eat in Chiang Dao?
Chiang Dao sure has some good food spots for a small untouristy town.
Local food in Chiang Dao:
- Chiang Dao daily soup ($) for noodles
- Mon and Kurt’s Restaurant ($) for no-fuss Thai food for THB 35
- ขนมจีนน้ำเงี้ยว ข้าวซอย ป้าเย็น ($) for delish Khao sao near the caves
- Padthai Aladin Chingdao ($) for cheap and delish
- Doiluang Crayfish Farm to Cafe ($$) for mango smoothies and coffee overlooking rice fields
International food in Chiang Dao:
- Microkosmos Craft Beer & Burger Bar ($$) for burgers & craft beer
- Charoen Bar Whiskey & Cocktails ($$) for name explains itself
- Jin’s ($$) for italian foooood
Are there free hotsprings in Chiang Dao?
Entrance to Chiang Dao Caves
3. Go camping in Doi Suthep National Park
Armed with a crate of beer and crisps, drive into Doi Suthep National Park, past the temple, and past a few Hmong villages to Doi Pui Camping. It should take you around 50 minutes from Old Town.
At an elevation of 1450 metres, the campsite overlooks Chiang Mai, and I promise you, as the sun sets and the lights turn on in the city below, you’ll feel an immense sense of gratefulness.
If you don’t have a tent, it’s no problem as you can rent everything there. It’s THB 320 per night for two people, including a tent, sleeping bag and mat. Or if you want to bring your own, THB 30 per person – a bargain.
Hiking trails surround the campsite; I’d recommend the Doi Poi Natural Trail if you’re up for a short beautiful hike.
4. Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is Chiang Mai’s overlooked little sister. While the average traveller to Chiang Mai opts for a one-day tour to Chiang Rai, covering all the main attractions (White Temple, Blue Temple, Black House etc.) in 14 hours. It’s a long 4-hour drive each way which equals an exhausting day of travelling and cramming in sightseeing.
As a slow and budget-savvy traveller, I think it’s worth sacking off the tours, going via public transport and having the freedom to explore without a tour leader telling you to get back on the bus. We’re all grown adults here; making our own decisions is one of the upsides of being grown-up.
Getting to Chiang Rai without a Tour
The bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is really not too bad and there are plenty heading there every day. You’ve got two options: the VIP bus or the Express bus from THB 200-250. You can head to the Chiang Mai Bus Terminal to grab a ticket or book online here.
I’d recommend opting for the early morning bus so you can snooze on the bus and arrive in Chiang Rai before lunch.
Where to stay in Chiang Rai for 1 night?
- Grace Hostel ($) THB 230 per night
- Baan Mai Kradan Hostel ($) THB 230 per night
How to get around Chiang Rai?
Obviously, with a tour, they drop you off at all the sights. But on a self-guided tour, you have to do it yourself! I’d recommend either a scooter or Grab.
If you’re feeling confident, I’d rent a scooter for 24 hours for THB 250 from Nice Scooter. The staff are great, and you can leave a cash deposit rather than your passport.
Or if you don’t feel too comfortable riding a scooter, Grab works really well in Chiang Rai, just like Chiang Mai.
what to see in chiang rai in 24 hours?
It goes without saying that the White Temple is a must-see in Chiang Rai. Entrance is THB50 which I think is a reasonable place for such a tourist hotspot. I’d head there around 4pm so you have time to see everything before it closes at 6 pm.
Although we didn’t wait around for sunset, rumour has it that the sunset at the White Temple is incredible, so wait around if you have the energy.
At night, I’d recommend grabbing dinner at the Night Bazaar. You’ll be used to night markets in Chiang Mai, you know the score – lots of food stalls, vendors, etc.
I’d then save the two last spots – Wat Huay Pla Kung (the Blue Temple) and the Baan Dam Museum (The Black House) until the next morning.
On the 2nd day after strolling around the Blue Temple and Black House, grab some lunch at Barrab and jump on the afternoon bus back to Chiang Mai. You’ll be able to make it back for sunset and dinner.
Alright, alright, so thats a round-up of 4 do-it-yourself overnight or weekend trips from Chiang Mai. See! We don’t need to pay for overpriced tours!
