Trip Plan
All routes
2 stops 6 days

Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai

3 days in Chiang Mai → Green Bus 3 hrs → 3 days for the White, Blue and Black temples and the Golden Triangle. Fly home from Chiang Rai (CEI).

How to travel this route

From Bangkok to each stop, between stops, and back home.

200 kmBangkok 760 km1Chiang Mai2Chiang Rai

Times are estimates. Check Google Maps on the day.

Open whole route in Google Maps
  1. Bangkok → Chiang Mai
    700 km · 1h15 flight / 10h bus
    Flight · Bus · Train
    Van / bus / ferry tickets (12Go)
  2. 1
    Chiang Mai · 3 days
    Sleep in Chiang Mai
    Full guide
  3. Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai
    About 200 km · about 3.5 hrs
    By van, bus or car. Leave in the morning so you arrive before dark.
    Directions Van / bus / ferry tickets (12Go)
  4. 2
    Chiang Rai · 3 days
    Sleep in Chiang Rai
    Full guide
  5. Chiang Rai → Bangkok
    830 km · 1h20 flight / 12h bus
    Same way back. Book the return a few days early on weekends.

Day-by-day plan

Stop 1 · 3 days
Chiang Mai
Full guide
1Day 1 · Chiang Mai
  1. Fly DMK → CNX (1h15), or the night bus arrives at 06:00
  2. Check in at the Old City, rent a bike/scooter (250 ฿)
  3. Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao
  4. Khao soi for lunch
  5. Songthaew to Doi Suthep (60 ฿), temple + viewpoint
  6. Nimman cafés / One Nimman
  7. Night Bazaar, or Sunday Walking Street (on Sunday)
2Day 2 · Chiang Mai
  1. Half-day elephant sanctuary (ethical: Elephant Nature Park / Kerchor, ≈1,800–2,500 ฿)
  2. Back in town, snacks at Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
  3. Sunset at Wat Umong (forest temple) / Wat Suan Dok
  4. Khan tok dinner + northern dance show (≈500 ฿)
3Day 3 · Chiang Mai
  1. Doi Inthanon day tour (≈1,200 ฿ with transport) — the highest point in Thailand, 2,565 m
  2. Twin pagodas, Wachirathan and Sirithan waterfalls
  3. Lunch at the Hmong market, Ang Ka nature trail
  4. Back to Chiang Mai
  5. Chang Phueak night market (the famous khao kha moo of the 'cowboy hat lady')
Stop 2 · 3 days
Chiang Rai
Full guide
4Day 4 · Chiang Rai
  1. Arrive at CEI / bus from Chiang Mai
  2. Wat Rong Khun — White Temple (go early)
  3. Baan Dam (Black House) + the big Guan Yin at Wat Huay Pla Kang
  4. Nam ngiao for lunch
  5. Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
  6. Night Bazaar; Clock Tower light show at 19:00
5Day 5 · Chiang Rai
  1. Day tour to the north: Mae Salong tea farm (Choui Fong), Doi Tung Royal Villa (220 ฿)
  2. Lunch in Mae Sai (Myanmar border viewpoint)
  3. Golden Triangle viewpoint + Hall of Opium (200 ฿)
  4. Back to the city
6Day 6 · Chiang Rai
  1. Phu Chi Fa sunrise (2 hrs drive, mist in Dec–Jan) or Singha Park balloon/zipline
  2. Lunch at Singha Park
  3. Khun Korn waterfall hike (free)
  4. Dinner by the Kok river

Book & go

Partner sites show live prices.

1
Chiang Mai · 3 days
Booking.comHotelsAgodaHotels12GoBangkok → Chiang MaiGoogle MapsChiang Mai
2
Chiang Rai · 3 days
Booking.comHotelsAgodaHotels12GoChiang Mai → Chiang RaiDirectionsChiang Mai → Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai → Bangkok830 km · 1h20 flight / 12h bus Directions
฿12,510 / per person
6 days · 2 people · ฿25,020