After travelling in Africa for over a month, climbing Kilimanjaro, and going on Safari, my pocketbook and I needed to recover. Cue Northern Thailand! Having previously visited Thailand’s famous southern beach destinations like Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket, quite a few times in the past; this time I was going to spend a few weeks visiting Northern Thailand. This blog post will outline a budget itinerary covering the highlights of Northern Thailand in about 2 weeks.
Beautiful landscapes, stunning temples, mouth-watering food, and super low cost of travel and accommodations makes Northern Thailand a haven for budget travelers. Spur-of-the-moment massage? Sure! You get one for less than $5. Restaurant meal? Sure – you can get a full-meal at a restaurant for less than $5. A place to sleep? $5-10 will get you a bed for the night. After some heavy spending in Africa, travelling for two weeks in Northern Thailand helped me balance out my spending during my sabbatical year. It cost just $407.69USD to travel for 2 weeks – and I did not feel like I was skimping. I did everything I wanted to do, ate what I wanted, went everywhere, and got pampered with things like massages and engaged in experiences like cooking classes for less than $30USD a day.
Content:
- Budget Itinerary in Northern Thailand
- Chiang Mai
- Pai
- Mae Hong Son
- Chiang Rai
- Slow Boat to Laos
- Trip Costs for 2 weeks in Northern Thailand
- Final thoughts on Northern Thailand in 2 weeks
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Budget Itinerary in Northern Thailand:
I used Chiang Mai as a base camp for my adventures in Northern Thailand primarily because most day trips and multi-day trekking tours centre around Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is also the major transport hub in the region, so regardless of where I went, there was always an easy road back to Chiang Mai, and once there, an interesting tour or day trip that I could go on, along with easy transport options to elsewhere in the region.
I first spent 3 days in Chiang Mai, relaxing, enjoying amazing food, getting cheap massages, and visiting awe-inspiring temples. I then took a bus to the hippy mountain oasis of Pai where I spent 4 days exploring hot springs, temples and night markets and checking out the lively expat scene. From Pai, I took a bus to the picturesque border town of Mae Hong Son, where I spent 3 days exploring the natural beauty of the area as well as going on a motorbike tour that took me up to the stunning tea plantations near the Myanmar border. From Mae Hong Son, I took a bus back to Chiang Mai, where I stayed one night, and then left for a 2 day 1 night trekking adventure in the Jungle where the Karan tribal people lived. I then returned back to Chiang Mai where I spent one additional night, before taking a day-trip to Chiang Rai, which included stops to the stunning White, Blue and Black temples. I stayed 3 days in Chiang Rai before taking the 2 day slow boat transfer from Chiang Rai into Laos. Altogether, I spent exactly 2 weeks (14 days) traveling around Northern Thailand on a budget itinerary.
A baby elephant playing in the river on my 2 day 1 night trekking adventure in the Jungle near Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai:
I flew into the Northern Thai Capital of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai airport has plenty of different locations to purchase SIM cards, or you can opt to purchase an eSIM before you arrive in the country. The eSIM packages on Airalo are quite comparable to what you get on the ground in Thailand (ie: 50GB for 10 days for $9.50USD). There are also ATMs available inside the airport. Pro-tip: Many places are not able to break large bills, if you are at an ATM, add 100 Baht to the amount you are withdrawing so that even if the bulk of your withdrawal come out as large bills you’ll still have at least 100 Baht in small bills to use. There is generally a pretty high flat-rate withdrawal fee that seems unavoidable at most Thai ATMs – consider withdrawing the maximum amount of cash you think you’ll need to minimize the number of times you need to pay the withdrawal fee during your trip. Note that Thailand is very cash-forward – aside from some hotels and hostels, expect to pay in cash for most of your travels in the country.
There is a cab ticketing stand inside the airport where you can get a voucher with a pre-set price based on where you are going – note however, that the fare will be paid in cash to the driver. My driver was not able to break my 1000 Baht note, and actually just gave me a free ride – which has been to date – the best taxi experience of my life. People are wonderfully kind and friendly in Thailand.
I recommend staying in the old-city area of Chiang Mai. It is walking distance to many of the major tourist attractions and is a central and tourist-friendly area of the city. I stayed at the Green Sleep hostel – which was clean, and centrally located budget option with excellent staff and facilities. The Somwang Boutique House near the Phrae Gate is an excellent mid-range accommodations in the old city. Viang Luang Resort is a stunning high-end accommodations option in the old city area.
Chiang Mai is a city famed for its Temples. During the day, make time to visit a few temples around the city – some of the most famous ones include: Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, and Wat Phra That Doi Kham. Honestly though, there’s a temple on every corner in Chiang Mai, and most welcome visitors for free during opening hours – just make sure to have covered shoulders and knees when you enter a temple out of respect.
If the weather is not great – consider doing a Thai cooking class (full day). I did a half-day evening course class with Smile Organic cooking school and loved the experience. We were picked up at our accommodations, and first taken to a large market where we were taught about the different ingredients that we would be using during our cooking class; then we were taken to an organic farm, where were explored some of the fresh produce and herbs we would be cooking with in the class. We created a 4 course meal of a soup, salad, stir-fry and curry. I can honestly say that the Tom Yum soup I made at the class was the best Tom Yum soup I had ever had in my life – likely because of the incredible freshness of the ingredients that we used.
There are a number of day, and multi-day trekking tours into the jungle near Chiang Mai, that will bring you in touch with the indigenous Karan tribes who live in the area. I chose a 2 day 1 night trek, that allowed me to stay a night in a local Karan village in the jungle, and visit an elephant sanctuary before I was returned back to Chiang Mai. There is also a shorter 1 day version of this trek.
If you’re a nature lover, you can go on a day trip that visit’s Thailand’s highest peak: Doi Inthanon. The trip also takes you to see the King and Queen Pagodas and visit a Karen village as well, a hike in the Ang Ka nature area as well as into some local villages on the countryside. Lunch, and pick up and drop off at accommodations in Chiang Mai are included.
Pai:
From Chiang Mai, I took a bus to Pai the bus ride takes about 4 hours. Pai is a little hippy town full of expats. Located in the highlands of Thailand near the Myanmar border, some intrepid travellers actually chose to ride motorbikes to Pai. There are actually backpack/luggage shuttle services that cater to those who wish to ride motorbikes to Pai, so they do not need to ride with their luggage. While the road to Pai not as hectic as that of the cities – it is a very windy road – and the vehicles you do encounter may be driving a high speeds.
The Pai Walking street is a great place to get a huge variety of different street food for dinner
During the day, there are organized day trips that take you to the nearby Sai Ngam hotsprings, as well as to the Chedi Phra That Mae Yen temple – which is basically a massive white Buddha statue that can be seen perched on the side of a mountain from town, as well as the Pai Canyon. The best way to go on these day trips is to purchase from one of the many tour operators along the Pai Walking street.
The area is also popular for rafting excursions, and day trips to the nearby caves. If you’re up for a party, you can go on a boozy river tubing adventure that stops at various bars along the Pai River, or the ever popular pub crawl.
In the evenings – get your meals at one, or several of the myriad of different street food stands, that dot the evening night markets.
The Pai Bridge is a 800m raised raised walkway though rice paddies. There is a temple complex at the end of the walkway
I stayed the Goodlife Dacha Wellness Homestay which was a great budget accommodations option about a 15 minute walk from the downtown area. The area is a popular residential area for expats, and very quiet and tranquil. There’s a lovely riverside hangout spot where you can also purchase spa treatments on the property. The B2 Pai Premier Resort is an excellent mid-range accommodation option in the city centre – private rooms for less than $20, and the property has a pool. For a luxury experience, the Reverie Siam next to the Pai River is a beautiful luxury option in a tranquil location.
If you’re short on time, many highlights of Pai can be seen on an organized day trip from Chiang Mai.
Mae Hong Son:
Situated next to the Thai-Myanmar border, Mae Hong Son, is a pretty little town nestled among the hills and tea plantations that permeate the area. The town as a beautiful lake with the town’s most important temple perched on one end of it. On the other end of the lake, a lively night market emerges in the evenings where you can buy all kinds of culinary delights from various street food vendors, and bring the food over to the lakeside to have a with a cold beverage that you can purchase from one of the many convenience stores around the lake.
I stayed at the Sarm Mork Guest House – which was an great budget option with private rooms about a 5 minute walking distance to the lake. Piya Guesthouse is a great midrange option right on the lakefront with privates for about $20 – $25. For a unique stay, consider the Jeerang Countryside Resort, which despite is central location feels like you’re in a rural oasis with its individual bungalows lining a raised walkway among rice paddies and a onsite pond.
You can rent a motorbike, or hire a guide – inquire at one of the local tour agencies to take you on a motorbike tour around the area. As Mae Hong Son is not a large tourist destination, depending on the time of you you visit – private tours may be the only option available. The picturesque tea-plantations near the Myanmar border are very much worth the day trip.
Chiang Rai:
I used the White, Blue and Black temple excursion as a transportation option to get into Chiang Rai. Bus options between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are readily available, but since I was planning to visit the White, Blue and Black temples in Chiang Rai, I saw an opportunity to use the excursion from Chiang Mai as transport option to Chiang Rai. Given I was already planning to visit Chiang Rai, I called the tour company after booking the excursion to ask if I could just be dropped off in Chiang Rai at the end of the tour rather than going all the way back to Chiang Mai. This saved a significant amount of time and money.
I stayed at the BED Friends Postel near the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar and bus station, and found it to be an excellent budget option. The Nak Nakara Hotel is a great mid-range option that is also centrally located and has a beautiful pool area – which is rare in Chiang Rai. For luxury, Le Meriden Chiang Rai Resort on the outskirts of town by the riverside is one of the top-rated hotels in the city.
In addition to the ever prevalent and beautiful temples and markets located in most cities in Thailand, there are a variety of hiking day trips that you can also do from Chiang Rai. If you need a break from all the adventuring, try visiting the CAT ‘n’ A CUP Cat Cafe near the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar area. All you need to do is order food and/or drinks and you can spend some quality time with the friendly cats in the cafe.
Slow Boat to Laos:
From Chiang Rai, there is the option to get into Luang Prabang in Laos through a 2-day slow boat river transfer. This is certainly not the fastest way to get from Thailand to Laos – there are flight and bus options that will be far faster, but it is a unique transport option via riverboat. Given I had an abundance of time on my sabbatical year – I had the luxury of time, to meander slowly from Thailand to Laos.
Trip costs for 2 Weeks in Northern Thailand:
Accommodations: $110.69USD
Food: $147.00USD
Excursions: $110USD
Transportation: $40USD
Total: $407.69USD
Rice paddies dot the jungle landscape during my 2 day jungle trek from Chiang Mai
Final thoughts on 2 Weeks in Northern Thailand:
Northern Thailand is a magical destination in Southeast Asia. Prices are significantly lower than Thailand’s super-touristy and crowded beach areas, and the experience feels a lot more authentic. People are very friendly and an extended trip here is easy on the pocketbook. My 2 weeks in Northern Thailand cost only about $400USD – less than $30USD a day – and I didn’t hold back back on doing what I wanted. I ate whatever I wanted, bought whatever I wanted and lived like a queen. You can easily do Northern Thailand on less than $20USD a day if you want to really be saving money. Doing everything you want to do is also easy on the pocketbook here.
