City, Thailand
Chiang Mai
Asia's classic nomad base: cheap rent, cafés, coworking, temples and mountains close by, in a calm, walkable old city. Burning-season smoke from February to April is the big drawback.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,040–1,490Comfortable, one person · ฿35,000–50,000Details
- Value for money75/100Better value than 74% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–JanWarmest: Apr, 37°CDetails
- Air quality26.5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Very pollutedDetails
- Internet299 MbpsFixed broadband, Thailand medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; refill machines are on most streets and condo lobbies.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$18–60Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundGrabWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in malls, hotels and many cafés; cash for markets, street food, songthaews and small guesthouses.Details
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Nimman (Nimmanhaemin) | Nomads: cafés, coworking, malls and condos |
| Old City | First-timers: temples, guesthouses, walkable lanes |
| Santitham | Cheaper long stays near Nimman, local food |
| Riverside (Wat Ket) | Quieter boutique stays east of the center |
Apps that work in Chiang Mai
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: LINE
- 12Go: Buses, trains and ferries between towns
- IQAir AirVisual: Checking smoke levels in burning season
- Taxis: Red songthaews work as shared taxis; agree the fare first. Tuk-tuks cost more and need haggling.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Thailand.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in malls, hotels and many cafés; cash for markets, street food, songthaews and small guesthouses.
- Currency: Baht (THB). US$1 ≈ ฿33.56 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Thai ATMs charge foreign cards about 220 THB per withdrawal; limits usually 20,000–30,000 THB, so withdraw larger amounts.
- Tipping: Not expected; round up or leave 20–100 THB for good service. Upmarket restaurants add 10% service charge plus 7% VAT.
- Paying by phone: Apple and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; Thai QR (PromptPay) works with some linked Asian bank apps.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Fill in the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before arrival; paid look-alike sites are scams.
- Officers may ask for an onward ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds (20,000 THB per person); rarely checked, but enforced at times.
- In May 2026 the cabinet approved shortening visa-free stays; check the current permitted length before booking a long trip.
Emergency numbers
Police 191 · Ambulance 1669 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1155
Plugs
Type A, B, C, O · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
AIS, True and dtac airport counters sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs, roughly 300–600 THB for 8–15 days; passport required. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Thailand
Going to Chiang Mai solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Chiang Mai meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Chiang Mai International Airport (Airports of Thailand)
- Bolt Chiang Mai
- Punspace
- Chiang Mai Ram Hospital
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.