Perfect Chiang Mai To Chiang Rai Day Trip Itinerary (2026)
Planning to visit the laid back temple city of Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai? You’ve come to the right article.
Chiang Rai is the northernmost city of Thailand, and the ancient capital of the Lanna kingdom. Not only is it surrounded by gorgeous temples, but it’s near the famous golden triangle (intersection of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar), and only a 3 hour drive from Chiang Mai.
I rented a car, and drove to Chiang Rai to spend a night, and the scenic drive was one of the surprising highlights of my trip.
This article will cover how to get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai, where to stay, and all of the best things to do in the city.
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How To Get To Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is only a 3-3.5 hour drive from Chiang Mai along Highway 118 in regular traffic, and very scenic.
The cheapest way to get there is by bus, which takes 3.5-4 hours, and costs between $10-20 for a one way ticket.
There’s regular departures between the cities, and you can find and buy tickets directly on 12Go Asia.
The fastest way to get there is by renting a car, if you’re comfortable driving on the left-hand side of the road. I rented a small sedan from Chiang Mai Wheels for 1,200 baht (~$38 USD) per day, and had a hassle-free experience.
Tip: Bring your passport, international driver’s permit, and enough cash for the rental plus the security deposit (~3,000 baht).
The drive winds through the lush green mountains of Northern Thailand, and you’ll pass through a few small towns on the way over with restaurants and 7/11s.
You can also rent a motorbike for half the price, but I wouldn’t recommend it since it’s such a long drive. Instead, I would take a bus, and rent a motorbike once you arrive in Chiang Rai.
If you’re not comfortable driving or want to make it a day trip, the best option is to go on a full day tour. These tours cover roundtrip transportation, and time to see the highlights of Chiang Rai.
Here are the best tour options available.
- Chiang Rai temple-hopping tour: Full day tour to Chiang Rai’s white, red, and blue temples
- Chiang Rai highlights: Full day tour to the white and blue temple, long Neck Karen village, hot springs, and more
- Chiang Rai highlights & golden triangle tour: Full day tour to the temples, museums, long neck Karen village, and Golden triangle, with a boat trip along the Mekong River
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Itinerary
Chiang Rai is a beautiful little city tucked in the countryside that was a lot smaller, and more spread out than I had expected.
With it being the ancient capital of the Lanna kingdom, it’s home to some of Thailand’s most impressive temples, and unique artistic landmarks like the clock tower.
The three most popular temples to visit are the white (Wat Rong Khun), blue (Rong Suea Ten), and big white buddha complex (Wat Huay Pla Kang). These are all within a 20 minute drive of another, and easy to visit within the same day.
Beyond temple-hopping, you can visit the Choui Fong Tea plantation, Long Neck Karen Village tribe, Baan Dam Museum, and nearby hot springs.
If you love hiking, you can hike to the Khun Khorn waterfall, a 230 ft waterfall nestled in the rainforest.
It’s free to visit, and less than a 40 minute drive from the city. It’s around a 1.5-2 hour hike in total, and the trail was muddy and rocky so make sure to bring good hiking shoes.
If you run out of fun things to do near the city, you can go on a detour to the famous Golden Triangle.
This is the conjunction between Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, and only a 1.5 hour drive from the city. It’s situated by the Mekong River, and has a viewpoint of the three countries converging, an Opium Museum, and boat rides you can take into Laos.
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is the ideal city to visit on a day trip, or spend a night if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway.
It’s quiet, surrounded by the countryside, and has a more local authentic vibe than Chiang Mai. That being said, it’s much smaller, so you only really need a day or two to see everything.
Where To Stay In Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai has hotels for every budget, but it’s best to stay a little outside of town in a rural area surrounded by nature.
I stayed at the Saikaew Resort, an extremely budget-friendly hotel only 10 minutes outside of the city center. It’s sitting beside a pond with lily pads, and has clean and comfortable rooms for less than 1000 baht ($30) a night!
Here are the top-rated hotel options in Chiang Rai:
- Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort: 5-star riverfront resort surrounded by nature with restaurants, gym, and spa
- MORA Boutique Hotel:Boutique 5-star hotel with a spa, pools, free bikes and free breakfast.
- The Riverie by Katathani:Family-friendly riverfront hotel with free breakfast, and large outdoor pools with waterslides
- Saikaew Resort: Clean budget-friendly hotel besides a pond with free bikes
Best Time To Visit Chiang Rai
The best time to visit Chiang Rai is anytime of year, however March to April are the peak burning season in Northern Thailand.
This is when local farmers burn crops to create new land, and it results in a very smoky and high pollution environment. This haze is seen all throughout Northern Thailand, including Chiang Mai.
Chiang Rai FAQs
Is Chiang Rai worth visiting from Chiang Mai?
Yes, Chiang Rai is worth visiting to see the famous temples, and unique artistic styles of the ancient Lanna kingdom. The white temple was the most photogenic temple I’ve seen in real life, and the city has an overall relaxed vibe.
How much time do you need in Chiang Rai?
You only need a day to see the highlights of Chiang Rai, but if you plan on visiting the Golden Triangle, it’s worth spending a night in the city.
The Golden Triangle is around 1.5 hours north of Chiang Rai, and will take at least half a day to visit alone. If you’re simply visiting the temples and landmarks, I recommend joining a group tour for the most convenience.
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