# Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai in 5 Days: Itinerary, Budget, Temples, Cafés & Markets By Prashant & Sunaina · 26 December 2025 · https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/chiang-mai-chiang-rai-5-day-itinerary > Our 5-day north Thailand plan: flights from Bangkok, where to stay in Chiang Mai, 7 temples worth it, Doi Inthanon, Chiang Rai's White & Blue temples, the best cafés and night markets. Chiang Mai is called the **Rose of the North**: modern cafés and malls, surrounded by 700-year-old temples and mountains. It feels nothing like Bangkok or Pattaya, closer to Kyoto in mood: calm, green and slow. We loved it so much that five days felt short. Watch the vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZgKQ5mVy6A ## A little history In **1296, King Mangrai** made Chiang Mai the capital of the **Lanna Kingdom**. That's why you still see brick walls and old city gates, and temples like **Wat Chedi Luang** that keep that history alive. ## Getting there There are **no direct flights from India**, so fly into Bangkok first. From Bangkok, flights to Chiang Mai leave about every 30 minutes and take around an hour. We booked last minute and paid about **₹18,000 for two, return**. Booked in advance, it's closer to **₹12,000–15,000 for two**. ## Best time to visit **November to February.** The monsoon ends in November and the weather stays cool. **Avoid the rainy season**, when Chiang Mai floods. ## Where to stay Chiang Mai splits into the **Old Town** (the walled square) and the rest: - **Old Town**: quiet, peaceful nights. Best for a relaxed holiday. - **Night Bazaar area** and **Nimman**: crowds, music, food and cafés. We did both: three nights in the Old Town, one in Chiang Rai, and the last near the Night Bazaar. ## Getting around **Bolt** (slightly cheaper) and **Grab** both work. The red **songthaews** (shared red trucks) go anywhere in and around the Old Town for about **30 baht per person**. Hop on, say where you're going, and get off. Buy a Thai SIM, as it's very cheap. ## Chiang Rai: take the bus and stay the night We took the **Green Bus at 10 am** (about **4 hours**). In Chiang Rai we covered the **White Temple, the Big Buddha (Wat Huay Pla Kang) and Lalitta Café**, plus the night bazaar, then the **Blue Temple** the next morning. There's also a Black Temple and more, so two days is ideal. Don't do it as a rushed day tour. ## 7 temples worth your time In Chiang Mai: **Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phra That Doi Kham, Doi Suthep**. In Chiang Rai: **the White Temple, the Blue Temple, and Wat Huay Pla Kang (Big Buddha)**. Guides: [Chiang Mai Old City temples](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/chiang-mai-old-city-temples-cafes) · [White Temple](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/chiang-rai-white-temple) · [Blue Temple](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/chiang-rai-blue-temple). ## Doi Inthanon National Park The highest point in Thailand, about 1.5–2 hours away. It went from 25° in the city to **9–12° at the top**, and we hadn't packed jackets. There are waterfalls, the twin pagodas and a hill-tribe village, so keep a full day for it. **Our tip:** instead of a group tour (about 1,500 baht *per person* on Klook), we asked our Grab driver from the day before. A **private car for the whole day cost 1,500 baht total**, with room for four. Full guide: [Doi Inthanon day trip](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/doi-inthanon-day-trip). ## Markets (cheaper than Bangkok!) Chiang Mai's markets are not overpriced, and they're much cheaper than Bangkok's, with things you won't find in Bangkok. **If you like something, buy it here.** - **Coconut Market**: Friday to Sunday. - **Sunday Night Market**: huge, once a week. We went from 6 to 10:30 pm and saw maybe half. [Our guide](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/chiang-mai-sunday-night-market). - **One Nimman**: European vibe, live band, food stalls. Maya Mall is next door (branded shopping is better in Bangkok). - **Mae Kha Canal**: felt quiet on a weekday. Try a weekend. [More](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/mae-kha-canal-chiang-mai). ## Cafés (skip the hotel breakfast!) - **Chom Café**: beautiful and Michelin-listed, and the best food we had. - **Versailles de Flore**: a Greek-gods, European palace setting with great food. - **Mars Café**: a fun Mars interior. Go in the evening, as mornings are empty. - **Land of Angels**: about an hour out. We didn't have time. - **Lalitta Café** (Chiang Rai): a misty fairy-tale garden. Entry is **60 baht**, and we spent 2–3 hours there. More: [Chiang Mai cafés](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/chiang-mai-instagrammable-cafes). ## Pro tips 1. **Carry cash.** Only bigger cafés take cards, and local food and shopping are cash only. 2. **Apps:** Grab, Bolt and Google Maps. 3. **Temple dress code:** cover your knees and shoulders, with no sleeveless tops. 4. **Carry an umbrella.** Even at 25–26° the sun is strong. We always say: plan it yourself. It's your journey, and nobody knocks on your door saying it's time to leave. ## FAQs **Is there a direct flight from India to Chiang Mai?** No. Fly to Bangkok (or Phuket/Krabi) first. Bangkok–Chiang Mai flights run roughly every half hour on Thai Airways, VietJet and Thai AirAsia. **When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?** November to February: the monsoon is over and it's cool but not cold. Avoid the rainy season, when the city sees flooding. **Should I do Chiang Rai as a day trip?** We wouldn't. A day tour is rushed and tiring. Stay at least one night, ideally two.