Day Trips from Chiang Mai: The Best Excursions

Getting out of Chiang Mai

The mountains and valleys surrounding Chiang Mai contain some of northern Thailand’s finest temples, national parks, and ancient cities - most within a two-hour drive. These are the excursions worth making. For everything in the city itself, see our Chiang Mai guide.

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Doi Inthanon National Park

58km southwest | 1.5–2 hours | Full day recommended

Thailand’s highest peak at 2,565m gives you cloud forest, twin royal chedis, and multiple waterfalls - all within one national park. The summit itself is cool year-round (bring a jacket even in March), and in the dry season the chedis rise out of mist at dawn.

The two pagodas - Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri - were built for the 60th birthdays of the King and Queen. The floral gardens surrounding them are tended by hill tribe families in the Royal Project program. Wachirathan Waterfall (3km from the summit) is the park’s most dramatic, dropping 70m into a pool. Vachiratharn, Mae Ya, and Siriphum falls are all roadside and require little walking.

Getting there: Songthaew from Chang Puak Bus Terminal to Chom Thong ฿80–100, then another to the park gate ฿50 - slow and involves multiple changes. Most visitors hire a private car or minivan from Chiang Mai: approximately ฿1,500–2,000 for a full-day hire (negotiate at your hotel or through a tour desk). Organised day tours run ฿800–1,200 per person including transport and guide.

Entry: ฿300 foreigners, ฿40 Thais (as of 2026). Vehicle fee additional.

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Doi Suthep Temple

15km west | 30–45 minutes | Half day

The most visited temple near Chiang Mai sits at 1,073m on the mountainside, reached via a switchback road through forest. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep dates to 1386 and commands views across the entire Chiang Mai valley on clear days. The 309-step Naga staircase is the traditional ascent; a cable car (฿30 one way) runs alongside it.

This is easily combined with Doi Pui village (hill tribe market, 7km beyond the temple) or Phuping Palace gardens if you have a car.

Getting there: Shared songthaew from in front of the Monton Hotel on Manee Nopparat Road: ฿50–60 one way, runs roughly every 30 minutes when full. Grab car or private taxi: ฿200–300 one way. Driving yourself: 30 minutes up the hill with parking at the base.

Entry: Temple entry free. Cable car ฿30 one way.

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Lamphun - The Ancient Capital

26km south | 45 minutes | Half day

Lamphun is often skipped in favour of bigger destinations, but it rewards the detour. As the Hariphunchai Kingdom’s capital from the 9th to 13th centuries, it predates Chiang Mai by several hundred years. Wat Phra That Hariphunchai is the centrepiece - a Lanna-style golden chedi surrounded by ornate chedis and a small museum. Wat Chamadevi has two 11th-century Mon-era prangs.

The town is quiet, walkable, and free of the souvenir pressure found in Chiang Mai’s old city. The riverside park makes a pleasant lunch stop.

Getting there: Red songthaew from Nawarat Bridge in Chiang Mai: approximately ฿25, runs every 30 minutes, takes 45–50 minutes. Return the same way. Alternatively, shared minivan from Chang Puak area.

Entry: Temple entry free. Museum at Wat Hariphunchai: ฿30.

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Chiang Rai

200km north | 3 hours | Full day minimum

Chiang Rai holds three extraordinary temples that attract visitors from across Thailand. Wat Rong Khun - universally known as the White Temple - was designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and is still under construction. The approach bridges over a pool of upturned white hands; the interior includes murals of Superman and Neo from The Matrix. Entry is ฿100.

Wat Rong Suea Ten (the Blue Temple) on the Kok River bank opened in 2016 and rivals the White Temple for visual impact - all cobalt blue and mirrored mosaic, with no entry fee. The Clock Tower in town center illuminates at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm nightly.

Baan Dam (Black House) - a collection of dark-wood structures by artist Thawan Duchanee - is a complete contrast to both temples. Entry ฿80.

Getting there: Bus from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal: ฿150–180 one way, 3 hours. Minivan (direct services): ฿200, 2.5–3 hours, more frequent. Private hire car for the day: ฿2,500–3,500, giving flexibility to add the Golden Triangle (1.5 hours further) if wanted. Organised day tours including transport and guide: approximately ฿1,200–1,800 per person.

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Elephant Sanctuary

30–80km depending on sanctuary | 1–2 hours | Half or full day

Multiple ethical elephant sanctuaries operate in the mountains around Chiang Mai. These follow a no-riding policy; interactions involve feeding, bathing, and walking alongside the elephants in a forested setting. Half-day programmes typically run ฿2,000–2,800; full-day programmes with lunch ฿3,500–5,000.

Most sanctuaries provide hotel pickup and drop-off from Chiang Mai. Booking directly with the sanctuary is usually cheaper than booking through a hotel desk. For a full breakdown of reputable operators and what to look for, see our elephant sanctuary guide.

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Mae Sa Valley

26km north | 40 minutes | Half day

The Mae Sa valley north of Chiang Mai holds several roadside attractions that work well as an afternoon trip: Mae Sa Waterfall (entry ฿100, a series of 10 tiered pools), the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (฿100, tram included), and Baan Celadon for handmade ceramics. The drive itself through rubber plantation and bamboo forest is pleasant.

Getting there: Rent a scooter or car from Chiang Mai - the valley road is well-signposted. Taxi or Grab: ฿350–500 return depending on stops. Songthaew travel here is complicated; a vehicle makes more sense.

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Chiang Dao

72km north | 1.5 hours | Half day or full day

Chiang Dao sits in the shadow of the third-highest peak in Thailand, in a valley where mist lingers most mornings. Tham Chiang Dao (Chiang Dao Cave) extends more than 14km into the limestone mountain; a guided section takes about 30 minutes and costs ฿40 for a lantern and guide. The area around the cave has a small market with very good Burmese-influenced food.

More dedicated trekkers combine the cave with hiking in the Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, which requires a permit from the park office. Birders come specifically for the summit of Doi Chiang Dao, one of Southeast Asia’s better high-altitude birding sites.

Getting there: Songthaew from Chang Puak Bus Terminal to Chiang Dao: ฿60–80, 1.5–2 hours, departing when full. Return songthaews run until mid-afternoon. Private car or scooter is more flexible.

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Pai

135km northwest | 3–4 hours | Overnight recommended

Pai sits in a mountain valley with its own distinct atmosphere - small guesthouses, live music bars, waterfalls, and a notable expat community. Most people stay at least two nights. But a long day trip from Chiang Mai is possible if you leave early.

Pai Canyon (Khung Silaphum) offers a ridgeline walk above eroded ravines, best at sunset. Mor Paeng Waterfall (8km from town) is a natural water slide over smooth rock. The bamboo bridge near Nam Hu village is a pleasant 20-minute walk from the centre.

Getting there: Minivan from Chiang Mai Pratu Chiang Mai area: ฿200–250, 3–4 hours through 762 curves. The bus from Arcade Bus Terminal costs ฿150 but takes slightly longer. Driving a scooter yourself takes 3.5–4 hours and is an experience in itself - the mountain road is well-maintained.

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Planning transport

Hiring a private driver for a full day from Chiang Mai typically costs ฿1,500–2,500 and is the most flexible option for any combination of Doi Inthanon, Mae Sa, and Lamphun. For Chiang Rai or Pai, shared minivans are the simplest option. For destinations inside the valley (Doi Suthep, Lamphun), songthaews are practical and cheap. If you plan to visit multiple sites across the north, renting a car gives maximum freedom - see our car hire guide for options.