Chiang Mai travel guide
Chiang Mai Travel Budget: Daily Costs & Calculator
Chiang Mai costs about $30 USD per day for budget travellers covering a guesthouse, street food and local transport. Mid-range travellers average $85 per day, and luxury around $250. It is one of Southeast Asia’s cheapest quality-of-life destinations, popular with long-stay nomads.
How expensive is Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is one of Asia’s great budget sweet spots — guesthouses under $30, khao soi for $2, and long-stay deals that explain the digital-nomad population. Estimate your trip below.
Chiang Mai trip budget calculator
Pick your travel style and trip length — the calculator estimates your total budget in USD using real 2026 Chiang Mai prices.
Excludes international flights. Lodging is per room (shared by travellers); other costs are per person. Prices in USD, converted from Thai Baht (THB).
Chiang Mai daily costs by travel style
| Cost per day | Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | $10 | $40 | $130 |
| Food | $10 | $22 | $60 |
| Transport | $3 | $6 | $20 |
| Activities | $8 | $18 | $40 |
| Total per day | $31 | $86 | $250 |
Money-saving tips for Chiang Mai
- A bowl of khao soi at local shops runs ฿50–90 — under $3
- Songthaew shared trucks cover the city for a flat ฿30–40
- Monthly apartment rentals for nomads start around ฿8,000–15,000
Destinations in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai travel budget — FAQs
How much does Chiang Mai cost per day?
Chiang Mai costs about $30 USD per day for budget travellers covering a guesthouse, street food and local transport. Mid-range travellers average $85 per day, and luxury around $250. It is one of Southeast Asia’s cheapest quality-of-life destinations, popular with long-stay nomads.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.