Plan Your Trip
The logistics, sorted — getting here, when to go, and what to know before you land.
All Plan guides
Flights, trains, weather, visas and first-timer basics — the logistics, sorted.
Getting to Chiang Mai
How to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok and abroad: flights into CNX airport, the overnight sleeper train, and long-distance buses, compared.
Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai
When to visit Chiang Mai: the cool season, the hot season, the burning season, and how festivals like Yi Peng and Songkran affect your trip.
Chiang Mai Weather
Chiang Mai weather explained: typical temperatures, rainfall and air quality patterns across the cool, hot and rainy seasons.
Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) Guide
Everything to know about Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): getting into the city, transport options, and what's inside the terminal.
First Time in Chiang Mai
A first-timer's guide to Chiang Mai: how many days to spend, how to get around, money and SIM basics, and common early mistakes to avoid.
Visa Basics for Visiting Thailand
A plain-language overview of how Thailand visa-exemption and visa-on-arrival rules generally work for travellers heading to Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai to Bangkok
How to travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok — flights, the overnight train, and long-distance buses, compared for the return leg.
Phuket to Chiang Mai
How to fly from Phuket to Chiang Mai — route options, flight time, and whether a direct or connecting flight makes more sense.
Chiang Mai to Pai
How to travel from Chiang Mai to Pai — the mountain road, minivan and private transfer options, and what to expect from the journey.
Chiang Mai to Krabi & Koh Samui
Connecting Chiang Mai with Thailand's southern islands and beaches — flight routes and connection options to Krabi and Koh Samui.
Getting Around Chiang Mai
How to get around Chiang Mai day to day — ride-hailing apps like Grab, songthaews, metered taxis, and when each makes sense.
Scooter & Motorbike Rental
What to know before renting a scooter or motorbike in Chiang Mai — licensing, insurance, and mountain-road safety.
Cost of Living & Retiring in Chiang Mai
An orientation guide to researching cost of living and long-term or retirement stays in Chiang Mai — what to look into and where to verify it.
Chiang Mai with Kids
Planning a family trip to Chiang Mai — kid-friendly activities, practical tips, and how to pace a trip with children.
Is Chiang Mai Safe?
A practical look at safety in Chiang Mai — common-sense precautions, traffic, scooter safety, street food, and typical scam awareness.
Chiang Mai for Digital Nomads
Why Chiang Mai became a leading digital nomad hub, and what to know about wifi, co-working, community and visas before basing yourself there.
New guides added weekly
We're building this department out gradually — check back often, or follow along on the news page.